March 31, 2008 - Busting Our Butts!

It is almost here! The Final Four is upon us with all four number 1 seeds filling the brackets. (This is the first time in history that all number 1 seeds have advanced.) The exciting thing for me is knowing that one of my former players is on the Memphis squad that is headed for the San Antonio. Therefore I regularly read the Memphis newspaper online to catch the latest info.

This morning a couple of quotes stood out to me - one by Memphis coach John Calipari: “…it's hard for them to accept that good things are supposed to happen for you. Expect good things to happen. It's hard for them to see that sometimes."

The other quote is from former Memphis and NBA player Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway. I think it helps explains why Coach Cal made his statement.

"It means a lot because I see behind closed doors what they do; they work so hard starting in the offseason and leading into the regular season, and Cal has done a great job and the players have done a great job," Hardaway said. "It's huge because it puts you on a bigger level. You get more respect when you get to the Final Four and have a chance to win it all."

This is a basic principle in life. You may have heard it worded “what goes around comes around.” Or maybe you have heard the phrase “you reap what you sow.”

Yes this is a Biblical principle. Hard work – good work – produces good things. As believers in Christ we are called serve God. We are called to honor God in all we do. We are called to do good!

This is not a call to earn our salvation. That is a free gift based upon our faith in Christ’s finished work. Yet once we are on God’s team (based upon our faith) we should not sit back and just enjoy the “scholarship,” we should be busting our butts to serve Him!

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6)