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Lessons in the Game of Life

My husband and I were blessed by someone and was afforded the opportunity to go off this past weekend to watch his favorite college team engage in a well-played game of basketball (Go Heels!).  Let me just say that college basketball is crazy!  I have never seen so many people act in a way that is probably so unlike their normal everyday character, all in the name of being a loyal fan.

While watching the game and attempting to take all of the madness into my feeble brain, I was taking in more truths than the athletes realized they were dishing out.  I was reminded of how similar the game of basketball is to the game of life.  I literally came up with way too many comparisons to expound upon in one post (perhaps I'll come back to some of them at a future date), so I'll only focus on a couple today. 

Here are my observations of how life is like a basketball game:
  • You only have so many minutes to play, then the game is over. -- no second chances.
  • We often come out strong and lose stamina by the end.
  • Sometimes we're just killing time and not taking any shots (risks).
  • In some environments, you're going to be the "Home Team" -- cheers and encouragement.  Sometimes you're the "Visiting Team" -- Not appreciated, few supporters, harder game to play.
  • Sometimes you've gotta take a time-out -- regroup, get some advice, then get back at it.
  • The Holy Spirit is the referee of a believer's life.
  • Sometimes we rationalize a foul (sin) -- because the end seems to justify the means.
In most any competitive sport, the referee can be one of the most loved and hated participants in the game, sometimes simultaneously.  They have to make the tough calls.  They have to call out even the most popular players in order to enforce rules and ensure that the game is played in a respectable fashion.

One of the easiest ways to understand the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is to view it in comparison to a referee.  He is there to bring my fouls (sins) to my attention.  I don't always appreciate some of the calls He makes, but they are always fair and they are always needed. 

He's making calls in my life in an effort to refine me and make me look like Jesus.  You see, on my own, I'm incapable of producing righteousness in my own life.

"There is no one righteous, no not even one."  Romans 3:10

Whereas a referee's calls are denoted with the blow of a whistle, many times the Holy Spirit chooses to make calls in my life ever so gently.  It's that soft voice in my ear or the thumping of my heart that calls my actions or thoughts into check.

You see, the Holy Spirit isn't something to resent.  He should be something we totally embrace because his presence in our life is truly a gift from God.
 
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth.  The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.  But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." 
John 14:16-17

The other part of the game of basketball that has always perplexed me is when the players choose to commit a foul on purpose.  The point of this can be to stop the clock or to prevent an easy basket from being made.  They choose to commit a foul because the end justifies the means, right?

Well, how many times have you and I made choices out of the rationale that the end justified the means?  
  • The little "white" lie you told to keep out of trouble
  • The credit card purchase that you couldn't afford because the item was on sale
  • Going to the bar or party just to fit in with the crowd
However you and I choose to justify our poor choices, the bottom line is that in the life of a believer, a foul is a foul.  Thankfully, our fouls can be forgiven.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  
1 John 1:9 
 
I am so grateful for this game of life that God has allowed me to play in.  He has blessed me with an amazing team (brothers and sisters in Christ) and He is the best coach you could ask for. 
 
Perhaps the Holy Spirit has been calling out the fouls in your life and you've not faced the reality of those sins.  Humbly bring them before a forgiving God today.  He is ready and waiting to clean the slate and cheer you on throughout this game called life.

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