Among the many things said about Michael Jordan during The Last Dance documentary, I found the following comment made by Mark Vancil (the author of Michael Jordan’s biography, Rare Air), to be particularly interesting:
“His gift was not that he could jump high, run fast, shoot a basketball. His gift was that he was completely present, and that was the separator.”
My takeaway from that statement is Jordan was completely focused on the basketball court, immersed in each play, and didn’t worry about a previous game or the next game.
Thinking only about what was going on at that moment must have helped give him the consistency needed to play at such an elite level. He didn’t allow himself to be distracted by the next shot or the possibility of not making it, but instead, concentrated on doing whatever he could during each play.
Mark Vancil went on to explain, “Big downfall for a lot of players is thinking about failure…Michael didn’t allow what we couldn’t control to get inside his head. ‘Why would I think about missing a shot I haven’t taken?’”
I love the insight Vancil revealed about Jordan’s mindset because not only is being present a valuable approach to basketball but also life. Unfortunately, most of us spend too much time replaying past failures and agonizing over our future.
We also tend to be concerned with where we’re going to go next and what we’re going to do when we get there, which comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, captures in one of his new standup routines on Netflix:
“You’re at work; you wanna get home.”
“You’re at home. I’m working all week. I gotta get out.”
“You’re out, and it’s late. I gotta get back. I gotta get up.”
“I gotta get to the airport. When are we getting on the plane?
“Plane takes off. When’s the plane gonna land?
“Plane lands. Why don’t they open the door so we can get out?”
This is so funny while being so true. We have a tough time embracing the moment and making the most of where we are. Of course, there are times to learn from our past and plan for our future, but there’s a lot to enjoy and be aware of in the present.
The following verses can help challenge us to be more focused on the now instead of worried about what’s next or overconfident about what’s going to happen later:
Matthew 6:34 (TLB) says, “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.”
Proverbs 27:1 tells us (ESV), “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
By following Jesus one step at a time, one day at a time, we can trust Him with our future, as we live in the present. He has something to teach us and is working in us and through us right now…at this moment.
Today, let’s not be distracted or worried about what’s already happened or what might take place in the future. Instead, let’s cherish the gift of being present…in His presence.
1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV) encourages us to “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess I dwell on the past and worry about my future too often. Please help me to embrace the present and be aware of Your presence. I know I can’t change the past and I’m not guaranteed tomorrow, so I pray You’d strengthen me to be and do what You desire right now. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
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What is the toughest part about being present for you?
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Are you more likely to dwell on the past or worry about the future?
