Mar
22
Ready for the Next Play
Filed Under Devotional
If you watch much NBA basketball, you’ll recognize these three kinds of players when it comes to complaining to the referees. There’s the kind that complain on every call. They act as if they’ve never committed a foul in their life and want an explanation each time the whistle blows against them. These guys tend to be more veteran types. The youngsters don’t get to talk to refs like that without ringing up a technical foul.
Then there’s the one that doesn’t complain so much as just has a conversation now and then. He’ll stand next to the ref while the other team is shooting free throws and give a calm explanation about what happened and why the referee missed the call. Again, this works best for vets who are trying to get the referees to subconsciously lean their way on the next play. It’s a negotiating tactic. It’s more diplomatic, but the goal is still to nudge the game in their favor.
Finally, there’s the players that just play through. They rarely, if ever, say a word and just play on. They may disagree with the call, but they know there’s no changing it and focus on the next play. After a while, those guys will get a few calls either because of the law of averages or because the referee recognizes a hard worker and starts to lean their way.
Now, you’re all expecting me to make an analogy with our walk with Christ. So, not to disappoint you: I think there is a clear comparison here. As we walk through life, we have the choice of yelling at the Judge, negotiating with the Judge, or simply playing on. Which kind of player are you?
“But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? ‘Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” ‘ ” Romans 9:20
I posit that neither yelling nor negotiating will work well.
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
The truth is that God has the plan and we don’t know it. When things are not going the way you want, shaking your fist at Him or trying to cut a deal with Him simply won’t work.
Play like the rookie. Play through. Learn the lesson. Be ready for the next play.