The NBA season is winding down, and some teams are fighting for a playoff spot…while others are battling for seeding in their conference.
Teams like the Cavs and Warriors have been challenged by injuries and making adjustments to new players. The Warriors appear to be heading in the right direction, but the Cavs are still struggling.
Although once believed Cleveland would be the top seed in the East heading into the playoffs, that is no longer imminent. Lately, they seem to be lacking the effort and intensity needed to be consistently great, and have experienced some tough and embarrassing losses.
Their defense is particularly in question, as it’s not performing at the necessary level. Even so, it’s still only the regular season and we’re talking about the reigning champs with LeBron James. So the intriguing question being raised is, will they “flip the switch” for the playoffs and start playing the way they’re capable of playing?
My guess is they will stop coasting and begin taking winning more seriously. I think they are still the team to beat, but the “flipping a switch” strategy is an interesting concept to consider.
The reality is, teams can turn it on and off depending on the night of the week or who they’re playing. But even though it sometimes works in sports, this type of mentality isn’t the answer when living a life committed to Jesus.
If our desire is to please God, we can’t be okay with turning our faith on and off depending on the day of the week or who we’re with. If we think we can just “flip a switch” and follow Jesus when it’s easy and convenient, and other times not take it as seriously, then we must check our passion and love for God.
If we’ve experienced God’s love and grace in a profound and genuine way, we won’t want to flip the switch toward sin or our former way of living.
When you think about the literal flipping of a light switch, as followers of Jesus we want to remain in the light with that switch turned on – no matter what the situation.
By God’s grace, when we receive Jesus into our hearts, the switch is flipped to the light of Christ within us. The Bible says in John 8:12(ESV), “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
1 John 1:7 (NLT) tells us, “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
Today, let’s stay in the light and not flip the switch on and off. Let’s remain faithful to God’s leading and guiding by remembering the promise in Ephesians 5:8 (NLT): “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that the light of Christ would shine through me and I would consistently walk in the light. I pray I wouldn’t just turn my faith on and off or only flip the switch toward You on certain occasions. Thank you for Your grace and for strengthening me to remain in the light. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
