The Boston Celtics are 3-7 in their last ten games, and with so much talent on their roster, everyone is still trying to figure out why they aren’t playing better.
Most eyes are on star point guard, Kyrie Irving. He’s the self-appointed/de facto leader of the team, but he’s clearly not on the same page as his teammates.
Kevin O'Connor from The Ringer wrote an article about the current state of the Celtics with the headline: "What’s Really the Matter With the Celtics?"
He describes how something changed around the trade deadline:
“These days, Irving plays lackadaisical defense and unfocused offense. Sources around the team told me that Irving’s persona has changed, too: He’s become disengaged and detached from those around the team.
"There is talk that Irving’s friendships on the team start and end with Tatum, with whom he shares an agent. Two sources peg Irving’s change in demeanor to early February, around the time he was asked about the possibility of joining the New York Knicks next season.”
If a player mentally checks out or starts planning his next move, (instead of being in the moment), the team usually suffers. Losing often results when a player is more focused on his personal agenda and becomes disconnected from the core of the team.
Most of us can relate to the concept of being disengaged and detached. Sometimes this plays out at work when we lose our passion or motivation...or happens at home when we’re completely overwhelmed and worn out.
Even more concerning, is when we feel disconnected from the Lord. We can be so mentally checked out and focused on our personal agenda that we get caught up in living life in our own power and our individual effort.
However, if we really want to have a thriving life we must remain engaged and attached to the One who enables us to bear fruit.
Jesus says in John 15:4-5 (AMP), "Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you unless you remain in Me.
"I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Instead of being lackadaisical and unfocused, let’s abide in Jesus so we can be full of life and passion. After all, why would we want to remain detached and miserable?
As we stay connected to the Source instead of drifting toward our own way, Jesus will empower us to remain engaged with those around us...be alive in Him...and filled with the fruit of the Spirit.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I would remain in You and be filled with Your Spirit as I live each day in pursuit of You. Help me not to become disengaged or detached from You and the life You have for me. Please allow me to bear fruit. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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