by Randy Harris:
photo by David Herrera, Flickr Creative Commons
During this NBA season we have seen a couple of big men miss a lot of free throws in a single game. DeAndre Jordan missed 22 and Andre Drummond missed 23. In basketball the shot is called free because it is an uncontested shot. I am not sure it is really free because it cost something. It cost your team points toward winning the game.
One of the reasons given for NBA big men not being good at shooting foul shots is their technique and the size of their hands. You will hear people scream and holler because these guys make millions of dollars so they should be practicing and perfecting their skills.
We can look at our own lives and relate to the struggles these guys face. What we face in life is way more serious than being able to shoot foul shots to help your team win a game. We struggle with relationships, finances, careers, health and many other things.
The principle of practicing and perfecting our skills applies to us just like it does for these basketball players. If they will work hard at accomplishing their goal, their teammates will provide support when things don’t go the way they want. Leading a team is as much about handling failure as it is about handling success. Allowing coaches and teammates to provide insight and encouragement is key.
As men, we must put in the hard work that is necessary for us to become the leaders in our homes, careers and community that God intends us to be. I know that in my own life, I have gotten really frustrated with myself because I am not as good at things as I think I should be. I have the physical and intellectual ability to accomplish the tasks that are required. I must continue to practice and perfect what God has called me to do.
In our efforts to become great men of God, let us not isolate the One who makes it all possible. Let us also not isolate the people He has placed on our team who give us the support and encouragement we need. Hebrews 12:2.
Randy Harris is a former pastor, author, member of Wichita First Church of the Nazarene and the founder of Make the Line Up Ministries. More of his writings are available at makethelineup.org.
