March Madness is always filled with intriguing and surprising storylines. This year features 15-seed Oral Roberts who knocked off Ohio State and Florida on their way to the Sweet 16.
They are just the second team to ever go this far as a 15-seed, but they have two players, Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor, who are playing as well as any duo right now. Their next opponent is 3-seeded Arkansas.
The tournament not only showcases superb players but also spotlights impressive coaches who each have their unique approach and perspective on coaching.
Oral Roberts' head coach, Paul Mills, is in his 4th season and although they appear like an overnight sensation, he acknowledges the process he’s taken with his players to get to this point.
Recently interviewed on SiriusXM, Mills discussed his mentality as a coach:
“...It’s not my job to fill player’s cups. When we get done with practice, whether they receive anything I’m saying or not, I can’t make them receive anything that I’m even talking about.
"My job is to empty mine, it’s not to fill theirs. And you hope over the course of time that you’re able to fill their cup, but it’s not my job to fill their cup, it’s my job to empty mine...so what I do every day, is, did I empty my cup, did I invest in those guys, did those guys know that I love them…?
He also added, “Every day I need to empty my cup and invest in my guys and you’re hoping that they receive some of it and I do think that over the course of time they recognize your investment in them.”
This is not only thought-provoking but makes a lot of sense. By doing what he can for his players, he empties himself and gives all he has to them. As a result, he's seeing the fruit from his efforts by being one of the remaining 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament.
I think it’d be great if we could adopt this process of emptying our own cup. What if, instead of being so full of ourselves, we humbly give our lives in service to God and others?
By emptying our cup and investing in our spouse, kids, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, we can have a fruitful life. When we share the love of God, tell people the Good News of Jesus, and pour ourselves out for the benefit of others, they may not always receive what we’re offering at first, but the investment is definitely worthwhile.
Like coach Mills explained, it’s our responsibility to empty our own cup and let people know we love them. When we keep doing that, hopefully over time, we’ll be able to fill their cup.
Jesus is the perfect example of what it means to be emptied and poured out as a sacrifice for others. He laid down His life for us on the cross so we could be saved from our sin.
Philippians 2:7 (CSB) tells us, “...He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity…”
Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV) says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
1 John 3:16 (AMP) explains, "By this, we know love: that He laid down His life for us . And we ought to lay down our lives for the believers.”
As we follow Jesus and His example, we, in turn, empty and pour out ourselves, but then amazingly we're filled by Him because He pours into us.
Then each day, we look to lay down our lives and invest in people with our love. As we rely on the Lord and serve with Him, He fills us with His Spirit and the process continues.
Today, let's be challenged by the words of Coach Mills: “It’s not my job to fill their cup, it’s my job to empty mine.” Let's remember to ask ourselves, "Did I empty my cup, did I invest in those guys, did those guys know that I love them?"
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I wouldn’t be full of myself, but instead I would empty my cup, lay down my life and my own selfish desires to be a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to You. Please help me to pour myself out in service and love to others. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What holds you back from emptying your cup?
What do you think about coach Mills’ perspective on not being his job to fill his team's cup, but rather empty his?
How can you implement that mindset into your own life?
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