Monday, April 9, 2012

April 9, 2012 - A week of big decisions...

It is a big week of decisions in the basketball world.
There is news of some of the undeclared high school stars announcing where they will commit for college. There is also the final decisions being made by college players that are underclassmen on whether or not they will declare to go early in the NBA draft.

As for the high school guys, it will not surprise me if the main guys each choose the University of Kentucky. Although there are many major universities in the mix for these young men’s talents, UK has established a history of winning and of sending players to the NBA. And as one reporter mentioned, by winning the national championship this year UK’s Coach Calipari made his final recruiting pitch to these players…

Year in and year out UK has the top (or one of the top recruiting classes) in the country. Bottom line is that players are swayed by the idea of winning and the idea of being ready to go into the NBA.

As for the guys that are already in college and deciding if they want to declare early for the NBA, they have a different process of deciding. They are allowed to get an assessment from the NBA that projects where, or if, they will be selected in the draft. There are no guarantees from this assessment but it intends to let them know their basic status for the draft. Upon getting these assessments players have to decide if they will take the risk and leave school or play another year or two to improve their status.

In Christianity I think we have missed the need to “play the game of life” with the goal of making God famous. Others should see the greatness of God through our lives. As people make decisions on their future (and ultimately their eternity) they should see that God’s team is the winning team. They should see a joy, a peace, and a hope in us that sets God apart. They should see a love in us that sets Christians apart.  They should look at us and think, “I want some of that!” [The resurrection we celebrated yesterday is the crowning moment – the international championship – the “shining moment” – Christ wins! Christ wins! Christ wins!]

There is something to learn from those getting assessments on their futures in the NBA. They check to see if they are good enough. When it comes to assessing the “draft” for God and if we are good enough, the resounding answer for all of us is “NO!” Religions spend a lot of sincere, yet incorrect, efforts on trying to be good enough to earn God’s favor. The beauty of our message (especially being reminded of this during this Easter season) is that we have a Substitute in Jesus Christ. Those of us that have trusted in His finished work understand that we are seen with Christ’s righteousness and that He took our sin! What an amazing truth to share with those that want to determine if they are “good enough.”

All of that this week to remind us of two things:

1.       Our lives as Christians should shine the spotlight on God’s greatness.
2.       Our lives as Christians should include giving an honest assessment to those willing to hear the good news of the Substitute!
1 Chronicles 16: 8 Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
11 Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
13 O seed of Israel His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

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