Monday, November 28, 2016

November 28, 2016 - Going to the Floor

Lately, due to my health, I am finding I need to get back to what was the original idea of these weekly devotions… way back in late 2001 as we prepared to launch the weekly devotions the first Monday of 2002, we envisioned some “quick hitters” or “fast breaks” that were more like commercials for the readers’ lives… Tonight I was set up well to do that.

As I watched the first half of the Kentucky-Arizona State basketball game the commentator, Dan Dakich, pointed out a truth I always tried to get across to my players… teams have to play with a hunger or desire that surpass their opponents.

The game was an obvious mismatch on paper but I expected Arizona State to put up a fight because their coach, Bobby Hurley, was a scrappy player that always found a way to compete; yet it was clear that has not yet become the culture of his team…

Time after time on loose balls UK players were seeing diving to the floor and playing “hungry.” One play had the UK player on the floor and an ASU player just bending over at the waist reaching for the ball; which led Dakich to proclaim that UK “has more talent and works harder.” That is a dangerous combination… and a sad commentary about ASU. It’s not their fault that UK is bigger, stronger, and faster; but there is no excuse for lack of effort! Every player has the choice of “going to the floor” for the ball… EFFORT is a choice! It was ASU’s only chance to try to compete, and they weren’t.

Proverbs 28:19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!

Are you willing to dive to the floor to pursue your dreams? Are you willing to do the extra stuff to reach others in your outreach to others?

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