Caitlin Clark continues to captivate and wow the sports world as she leads her Iowa women’s basketball team to the Final Four. She’s coming off a tremendous performance against LSU where she scored 41 points, dished out 12 assists, and grabbed 7 rebounds while knocking down 9 three-pointers. Caitlin continues to set records and gain more and more fans, but what makes her such a special player? It’s obvious she’s an incredible scorer and passer, but what especially stands out is her court awareness and how it helps to make her teammates better. LSU head coach Kim Mulkey talked about Caitlin after their loss to Iowa saying, “She's just a generational player, and she just makes everybody around her better. That's what the great ones do.” Her strong court awareness improves her teammates by recognizing where they are and when they need the ball. She can assess when to pass and when to shoot while her court vision allows her to see things that others can’t. Setting up her teammates so well makes Caitlin a remarkable passer. She's also alert to what the defense is doing, understands situational basketball, and how to respond in key moments of the game. Because Caitlin knows what’s happening around her, she anticipates where the ball will be and where she needs to be to make an impact. While court awareness has contributed to Caitlin Clark’s effectiveness in basketball, I believe as followers of Jesus we also need to have a “court awareness” to make a greater impact in the lives of others. We need to recognize where our “teammates” are in life and discern when and how they need the “ball” - or rather, encouragement from us, and God’s Word. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) says, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) explains, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Caitlin Clark has become a superstar because she makes others better! Similarly, when we "pass the ball" or encourage and refresh others in the Lord, we make them better and amazingly it makes us better too. Our court awareness allows us to know what’s happening around us, and as we take an interest in what others have going on, we'll know where we need to be “on the court” and how best to respond in each situation. As we stay alert and seek the Lord in continual prayer, we'll be able to make an impact and set up our teammates well by making the right “pass." Colossians 4:2 (AMP) tells us, “Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Lastly, our "court awareness" or discernment allows us to recognize what the defense is doing, to help ourselves and our teammates combat it. 1 Peter 5:8 (AMP) implores us to “Be sober , be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion , seeking someone to devour.” Today, as we think about Caitlin Clark's court awareness and how she makes everyone around her better, let's ask God to help us be alert and aware of how we can be impactful "on the court." Let's make those around us better as we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to see what's happening around me and provide the wisdom I need to know how best to respond. Help me encourage and refresh others and find ways to make them better. I pray You give me alertness, awareness, and understanding as I rely on the Holy Spirit to guide me. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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