Yesterday, LeBron James and the Cavs finished off the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 with a 105-101 win. Throughout the series, LeBron gave tremendous effort to get his team past the first round of the playoffs.
The 33-year-old star is playing in his 15th season and has led his team to the NBA Finals seven straight years. He understands what it takes to move through the playoffs, and so far, has been required to do even more on the floor – especially with scoring. In Game 7, he dropped 45 points and added nine rebounds and seven assists. His stat line, 44-10-8, was similar in Game 5.
The Pacers played the Cavs tough and got the best out of LeBron, so he was definitely worn out after the conclusion of the series. During the press conference, his response to being asked about the next matchup (against the Raptors) was, “I’m burnt right now. I’m not thinking about Toronto right now until tomorrow. I’m ready to go home, can we? I mean, I’m tired, I wanna go home.”
Although none of us are dropping 45 points in a Game 7 playoff game, we all know the feeling of being burned out, tired, and wanting to go home after we’ve maxed out our energy, and had to face another “series” right away.
LeBron had the right idea not to think about Toronto until he first went home to rest, relax, reenergize, and become rejuvenated. Likewise, we could benefit from this approach by not moving on to the next task or activity when we feel completely drained.
How often do we attempt to keep going with effectiveness and energy, but we’re actually worn out, burned out, and running on empty?
Instead of choosing to rest and slow down, we make the excuse that we have to keep pushing ahead if we’re going to do our best and be our best.
But the Bible gives us a better example to follow. In Mark 6:30-32 (ESV), Jesus shows His disciples the importance of pulling away and getting refreshed: “The apostles returned to Jesus and told Him all that they had done and taught.
“And He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.”
As we continue to work hard and do amazing things for the Lord, let’s make sure we stop and relax. Before taking on the next task He gives us, let’s remember our deepest renewal is in Jesus. Only through Him can we experience the kind of rest needed to remain at our best.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I would stop running on empty and be willing to pull away to rest. I pray You would provide opportunities for me to be re-energized and refreshed. Please help me serve You well with a rejuvenated spirit.
