June 25, 2012 - Lessons from LeBron

While I was in Honduras this past week I tried to make sure I was keeping up with the NBA Finals. I was able to watch a little bit of one of the games but due to power outages was unable to see any of the final game (although the generator still had WiFi going at the hotel for me to see updates on my phone.) My fun since then has been to return and read some of the comments from the LeBron-lovers and the LeBron-haters. He has definitely seemed to become the most polarizing figure in sports.

Yet in spite of some bad “decisions” I still think any true fan of the game would have to acknowledge his incredible talent and athleticism…

I watched an interview with him on ESPN and he really had some great things to share.  He talked of how failing in the past helped him be better prepared for this series. He mentioned that at the end of the day one has to look in the mirror and ask “what are you gonna do about it?”

Sounds like a good lesson for us in our spiritual walks… At the end of the day are you taking inventory? Are you allowing God’s Word to direct and guide your paths? Are you honest about your failures?

James 1: ²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Then the interview turned heavily toward last year’s finals and all the jokes about LeBron’s inability to finish out games. The interviewer even pointed out the joke that said: if you give LeBron a dollar he’ll only give you back 3 quarters…” And that joke was followed up by asking LeBron if last year’s finals loss was the worst time of his life?

Great reply from LeBron: “…was the worst at the time…but turned out to be the best…”

…another physical picture in sports of a spiritual truth/promise:

James 1: ² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Romans 5: ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Hope you will take heart in knowing that whatever you may be going through today, God is at work in your life and these things, although painful or uncomfortable, will produce a great result in you.