Weekly Content for P.A.C.K. Meetings

UNPACKIN’ IT DEVOTIONAL CONTENT:

He Plays Like Michael Jordan

I became an NBA fan in the mid-1990s, which was the height of the Michael Jordan era.

As sports fans, we know he’s the standard when talking about the greatest players of all time, and he’s also the one who many players still try to model their game after.

There will never be another Michael Jordan, but over the years, some players have reminded us of him with their dunking ability, competitiveness, and smooth jumper.

Kobe Bryant emulated Jordan, and more than any NBA player up to this point, his game was most similar to his.

Now all these years later, a new superstar has emerged and the similarities are turning heads in the NBA Playoffs.

The 22-year-old, Anthony Edwards, has the Minnesota Timberwolves up 1-0 against the reigning NBA Champions Denver Nuggets in the second round.  After his remarkable performance on Saturday, he became only the second player to score 40 or more points in two consecutive playoff games at 22 or younger, joining Kobe Bryant.

With the way Edwards plays and carries himself, the comparisons to Jordan and Kobe are intensifying. On theathletic.com, Marcus Thompson II has an article with the headline, “Go Ahead, Say It: Anthony Edwards Looks A Lot Like Michael Jordan Right Now.”

Thompson writes, “Still, the resemblance is uncanny. The way the wristband sits below his left elbow and his left calf is covered. Just like Jordan. The way each step has a little bounce to it, and how he glides when he’s in the air. Just like Jordan. The brashness of his facade, and how he smiles in moments and at his opponents with a certainty he has yet to earn.”

We can clearly see how Jordan has influenced the way Edwards plays on the court – especially when we see him take a fadeaway jumper or attack the rim just like him.

In much the same way as noticing how Edwards reminds us of Jordan, I wonder who comes to mind when others watch us “on the court” living out our lives. Who do they see when they see us? Who do we resemble?

1 John 2:6 (NIV) says, “Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.”

If we follow Jesus and emulate Him, then others will see similarities to Him when viewing how we live our lives.

We know we’ll never live a perfect life as Jesus did, but we are called to be like Him and represent the characteristics He embodied while living on earth. He is the standard and the one we model our life after.

He revealed to us what God is like, and ultimately we want to resemble His holiness and cause others to see Him in us.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (AMP) encourages us with these words: “Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.”

Today, I hope we’re challenged to evaluate our own character and consider how it lines up with who God is. Also, when others interact with us, do they see something different about us? Do we stand out and lead others to think about God when they watch us? Do they see how Christ influences our lives?

Anthony Edwards has a long way to go to be more like Michael Jordan, but at least he’s showing glimpses of similarities.

We, too, have plenty of room to grow in our Christlikeness, but let’s be challenged to pursue a life that reminds others of Jesus. Let’s allow His Spirit to work within us and through His transforming power make us more and more like Jesus.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER OR EMPHASIZE OR OTHER DIRECTIONS TO GO:

• Remember we aren’t supposed to be God, but we can be like Him. There are some characteristics of God that we aren’t meant to have such as sovereignty.
• Who have you modeled your life after? What other influences?
• We need the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be like Christ.