June 10, 2013 - He's in my head during the game...

This past Saturday I heard a great story about Steph Curry… It took place at the end of the Davidson/Gonzaga game in 2008. The story was shared during a graduation address that was encouraging the kids to give credit and thanks to those that got them there…

In the game that was being discussed Steph scored 40 points, and Davidson upset the highly ranked Gonzaga squad. Reporters jumped on the fact that Steph pointed at his dad (former NBA player Dell Curry) in the stands. When asked why he did it Steph responded, “He's been there for me my whole life, I think the things I do on the court kind of come from him, so he's in my head during the game and I like to keep him involved." (Some reporters even talked about the fact that Steph also points to the sky to thank God.)

I love this picture of gratitude and thanks; but I also love the picture of influence that will help in the midst of the game… Steph said his dad is in his head; in other words when the game was on the line his dad’s training and influence carried him through.

Steph’s play on the court and his outward show of thanks by pointing at his dad gave worth to Dell Curry (and the role of fathers.)

Steph’s play and his outward show of thanks by pointing at the sky gave worth to God!

Another word for ascribing worth to something is “worship” – or the old English form “worthship.”

I was preaching yesterday morning in Alabama and started at Ephesians 4:1 ----

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.

The word “therefore” tells us we have to know what came before this verse. Basically the first half of Ephesians reminds believers of the incredible magnitude of God’s love and all that He has done for us. Just like Steph talked about his dad being there his “whole life”, Paul reminds us that God has been intimately involved in our lives since before the beginning of time… Paul reminds us of the incredible gift of GRACE (God’s unmerited favor)!!!!!

The Apostle Paul then makes a strong plea; he begs (beseeches) us to have a “worship walk” – one that ascribes worth to God… because God deserves it! He is worthy of our thanks! He is worthy of the credit for our successes!

It only makes sense to want to honor God with our lives in gratitude for His gift!

Side note: if you will make it a point to spend quality time with God (like Steph did with his dad), you will find that in the chaos and pressure of life you will catch yourself saying, “He’s in my head during the game” and you will find victory!