When scouting a player there are certain things that you
look for; one being how his “handles” are… You gotta know that he can take care
of the basketball. That involves the motor skills that are developed through
repetition of drills and lead to the phrase “he’s got the ball on a string.”
But it involves a lot more than that!
I have seen a lot of players that are good practice/drill
players that are not dependable in the game. The motor skills are present but
the vision and perspective of game flow is absent. When the pressure comes these
are players that, in spite of their skill sets, end up in bad positions on the
court, unable to effectively make plays.
But when there is great vision and perspective it is a
beautiful thing to watch… I will always remember taking some players to watch a
game a few years ago where one of the teams had an obvious advantage in size
and athleticism. The players that were with me were going on and on at how
badly the bigger/faster team was going to beat the smaller/slower team. The topic
most in discussion was at the point guard position. I had told the guys with me
to pay attention to point guard on the team they thought would lose. Each of
the guys with me talked of how they could shut down that point guard with no
problem and how he was going to get destroyed that night. As the game unfolded
they watched a beautiful masterpiece of a guy with great handles! The point
guard not only had great motor skills but had an uncanny vision and perspective
of the game. The bigger/faster guards from the other team simply could not
apply pressure because the point guard could see the big picture; could foresee
what they were trying to do; and knew where he needed to go to avoid the traps-
great handles! He orchestrated a beautiful win for his team; much to the
surprise of the guys I took along for the show… (Love watching you play Tyler Lewis!)
All of that to get to this week’s point of looking back
over 2013 and forward to 2014. How has the year been? What are you looking
forward to? You see I believe, and heard a confirming message yesterday at
church, that your “handles” are greatly determined by your perspective of the
game. Let me explain (along with my own confessions…)
I often teach this principle when talking about the
Apostle Paul. He is a guy that simply had developed great “handles” in life. He
faced major obstacles and trials yet spoke and wrote of joy and rejoicing.
Simply put he faced things that should have created incredible pressure and
would have caused most men to crumble; yet he was able to not only handle the
pressure but to find victory! I love the book of Philippians where Paul shows
us that we can have victory even when circumstances seem to the contrary. He
writes from prison and reminds us of a great truth: God and life are not
synonyms! Life is full of both the good and the bad (a roller coaster) but God
is constant and sufficient to meet our needs! In fact Paul is so clear about it
that he states he knows what it is like to be poor or rich, hungry or full, to
abound or suffer… and yet still he is content. His vision is focused on Christ!
His perspective of the “game” is that God will strengthen him and he can stay
calm and content. He sees beyond the circumstances to the assurances that God
wins! I love teaching from Philippians! I love to teach the promise that we can do all things through Christ who
strengthens us! I encourage you to read Philippians as your theme text for
2014…
Now on to the confessions… it is easy to stand behind a
pulpit or sit in front of my computer and teach these things. It is like the
player that is great at drills and skills but finds being in the game is a
whole different thing! As I look back over 2013 I have seen times of incredible
excitement and incredible discouragement. We have made a huge move for our
family; our kids have faced many ups and downs; our finances have been very
uncertain; etc… And to be honest I have often allowed circumstances to dictate
my attitude instead of allowing my perspective (the things I know and teach) to
carry me through my circumstances. My “handles” have not been very good this
year.
How about your 2013? What about your 2014? For me I plan
to start each day with a different attitude/perspective. I choose to pursue a
life of rejoicing instead of complaining. I choose to practice what I preach. I
choose to be thankful instead of frustrated. I choose to focus on the constant,
consistent God over an ever-changing, inconsistent life.
John Wooden said it this way, “Make each day your
masterpiece!”
The Psalmist says it this way,
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will
rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps 118:24)
Thank you to Pastor David from South Palm Community
Church for the reminder to have an attitude-adjustment each morning… now how
about you?
2014 New Year’s Resolution: Start each day with Psalm
118:24! It will give you (and me) great “handles” in the “game” of life!
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