Over
the past year, I have taken on a new role and transitioned into coaching.
This role was different for me because I was so used to the competitiveness of
physically being on the court trying to do whatever I could to perform well for
my team and myself. If you know me, you know I never planned or wanted to
coach, it was too hard for me to sit on the sidelines. However, one thing I
found out quickly was that coaching involves constant communication, which is
something I liked. Being on the same page as a coaching staff and as a team
only improves the level of each player/coach because the expectations are laid
out right in front of you.
God
has given us access to Him. As a believer, He has equipped us with tools and
weapons to fight off evil. Prayer is simply communication with God. Prayer
gives us access to what God is trying to reveal in our lives and through His
word. To properly pray, however you should pray according to God’s written
word, not just for specific wants and needs.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds
of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on
praying for all the Lord’s people.” – Ephesians 6:18
One of the best
basketball tips I received came from my trainer and coworker at a basketball
training facility called Just Hoops. We are a basketball training facility that specializes in teaching proper technique and shooting techniques to help players. I learned there are four different ways you can miss
a shot. Missing to the left or right of the rim, missing short hitting the
front of the rim, or missing long on the back of the rim. If you shoot the ball
straight each shot, it eliminates two of the four ways to miss. All good
shooters are straight shooters, meaning they rarely miss left or right. To
execute this properly, hand placement and a player’s follow-through plays a big
part of one’s shooting ability. The follow-through is the release of the ball
from the hands.
The more I thought about shooting, one of the most
important skills in basketball, I started to think about how a simple tactic as
far as one’s follow-through can help guide the ball exactly where you want it
to go with proper control. In our spiritual life, God is asking us to
follow-through. It is important to follow through with the plan Jesus has set
and laid out for our lives. God’s word tells us to surrender to Him daily. 3
principles to surrendering to God:
1. Being a living sacrifice.
2. Give none of ourselves to the world.
3. Renew the mind daily.
When shooting a basketball, just because you shoot it
straight, does not mean you won’t miss. However, it does increase your odds of
succeeding. In James 1: 2-8, He lays out that in your spiritual life there will
be trials and tribulations. Even during trials and tribulations, you’re
supposed to have joy in it and persevere through it because the plan God has
set is perfect. A surrendered life means Gods-will, will flow and find you
while He works in you. I encourage you today to read Ephesians 1:2-8 and follow
through with the plan that God has set over your life!
