The NBA has continued to grow and expand since its beginning in 1949. This past weekend's All-Star festivities have become a yearly celebration of the sport where legends from the past are honored and current stars are on full display. Even though the game of basketball is a team sport, the NBA has been built around the stars and key players who have carried the league forward as ambassadors. Specific players have been considered the faces of the league, and the spokesmen, and have represented the sport to the world. Each era has relied on different players to have that role and some names that come to mind are Bill Russell, Julius Erving, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq. Over the past 10-20 years, we’ve seen LeBron James lead the way as the face of the league, along with Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, and more recently, Giannis Antetokounmpo. These are the guys who represent the NBA and who most fans identify and connect with when thinking about the league. One of the conversations at All-Star Weekend was about the future faces of the league, and who would accept the responsibility to grow the game, demonstrate what the NBA is all about, and continue to shine a light on the league. The key guys can't just be concerned with themselves but must embrace what it means to honor the game, bring awareness to what makes the NBA so great, and play in a way that garners more interest. Yet, as important as the “faces of the league” are, every NBA player carries the responsibility as an ambassador because they are a member of the league and the NBA family forever. Since these players are who the fans see, how they carry themselves and represent the league matters. Ultimately, it’s not just about how great they are on the court, but it's about what they do to lift up the NBA and the sport of basketball. Similarly, as followers of Jesus, every one of us is an ambassador for the Lord and is His representative as we honor Him and lift Him up in the world. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:20 (AMP), “So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.” We are the ones people see and hear, so are we shining a light, carrying on the tradition of the Gospel? Are we continuing the mission of Jesus, and being His hands and feet to the world? Matthew 5:15-16 (NLT) tells us, “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Do people see Jesus in us? Do we represent Him well with the way we live and love? Do we demonstrate what it means to follow Jesus? Do we bring awareness to why God is so great? Are we helping to grow the world's understanding that God loves, saves, and calls us to repent? God doesn’t need us because He’s perfect and powerful on His own. But, He invites us to join Him in the work He’s doing and when we’re willing to step up and take on the responsibility as His “spokesman,” He will speak through us. People will connect with us and be drawn to us because Christ lives in us and they will see His love and transforming power shining through. Ultimately it’s not about us, it’s about Jesus and people knowing Him and following Him. We just need to represent Him as His ambassadors and point people to Him. Today, as we embrace this opportunity, thankfully, we don’t have to do it alone or in our own strength, but rather through the power of the Holy Spirit. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8; NLT). I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for not always representing You well, but I pray You will strengthen me as Your ambassador and help me honor You by the way I live and love. Please speak through me, shine through me, and empower me. I pray that people see You and praise You and know You. Thank you for allowing me to participate in Your mission and plan. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.