Studying Film #3

I give a lot of my success that I have had in sports to being a good student, learner and listener. I competed to win in the classroom just like I wanted to in sports. My motivation in the classroom was still to figure out every single problem and compete to be the best, (I still remember the timed multiplication test that you had to flip over when finished) but I knew there was a reward at the end of the road as well. That reward was graduating and crossing the finish line. 

Growing up I was fortunate that school was pretty easy for me. It wasn’t until I got to Kent State my freshman year in college to really have to concentrate and focus on my studies. The time I spent at Kent State changed my life forever in a positive way. Being a student athlete is not easy and takes a lot of work, but with the right support system it makes it a lot more manageable. Kent State provided me with that. 

From day 1, I had coaches that were committed to their players. Because of that, they spent much time talking, critiquing and helping them try to become better on the court. One way they did this, is by watching film. They would tape majority of the preseason workouts and practices and the coaching staff would watch them back with the players either in small groups or individually. This is something I was totally new to but I loved it. It allowed you to actually see the things you did well and the things you did not do so well, and not just based on how your mind remembers. The famous quote our coaches would say was, “The eye in the sky, don’t lie.” 

I’ve taken that trait of watching film with my coaching staff and started doing it on my own. I found great success in my playing career by remembering certain plays, knowing which areas I could improve my individual game and it also allowed the game of basketball to slow down in my mind to help me make better decisions. Needless to say, I love analyzing basketball and looking at it from a different perspective. Rather it be someone’s footwork, body positioning or their form on how they shoot the ball, I love breaking down the details of it. 

Not too long ago I applied “film study” to my spiritual life as well. Not sure what made me look at it from that angle but I realized if I want to know God and what His plan is, I have to study Him to improve my spiritual knowledge. Just as if I were studying film on myself or someone else to help my basketball knowledge. This was a little more difficult than just turning on YouTube clips or watching old games, because the Bible is filled with an infinite amount of information so it can be overwhelming where to start. 

One thing that helped me, is reading full books in the Bible and not just one or two verses. If you understand the back story more and what is happening, then you can understand why God allowed or did certain things that are listed in the Bible. A famous verse that i see used a lot is, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”- Phillipians 4:13. This is true, however if you do not know the will of God and where He gives strength then it can be discouraging when you ask for something and your prayers don’t get answered because it did not align with His will. 

In order for God to enter your life and your situations personally, you have to know His word and be committed to it. Just like in school, you can’t study and do homework one week and then take a whole week off and expect to succeed during the test. The Word of God lays out all the information you need to know but you have to want to study and get close to God to hear what He is saying. I recommend doing your own film study with the Lord and allow it to take your faith deeper and get closer with Him!

Also, I know it can be hard to consistently want to read day in and day out. There are many great pastors who do daily devotionals that teach from the word of God every day that allows you to be consistent and not just once a week.