The Denver Nuggets entered the NBA playoffs as the number two seed in the Western Conference, but they are matched up against the five-time champion, San Antonio Spurs. The more experienced Spurs stole game one as Denver lost at home.
One of the stars on Denver, Jamal Murray, struggled with shooting during game one and his struggles continued again in game two up until late in the third quarter.
But with just under five minutes left in the third (Denver was down by 19 points, 78-59), the Nuggets got hot and put together an impressive comeback.
Jamal Murray led the way by scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter, and the Nuggets pulled out a 114-105 victory tying the series at 1-1.
Despite Murray’s rough shooting to start the series, his head coach Michael Malone stuck with him. After the game, he had this to say about his important player:
“He was so frustrated at halftime at not making shots, shots he’s made his whole career.
“I just grabbed him and said, ‘Listen, take a breath. You’re putting too much pressure on yourself. Every shot right now is like the end of the world. You know what? I believe in you. I love you. Just go out there and play.’”
Think about how freeing and comforting that is to hear as a player when you’re struggling out on the floor. Likewise, many of us need to hear that same advice today as we’re putting so much pressure on ourselves and treating every mistake or problem like it’s the end of the world.
We need to take a breath and recognize just how much God loves us and wants us to go out there and live light and free.
When we truly “step onto the court” knowing that the pressure is off because Jesus has already paid our sin debt on the cross and God loves us despite our struggles, we can live from a place of rest and ease.
Jesus has given us much more than a halftime pep talk when He tells us this: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it.
"Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30; paraphrased from the Message translation).
God is sending us out there as His children and wants us to know that He’s right there with us and loves us no matter what.
Today, let's embrace the assurance we have in 1 John 3:1 (NLT): “See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me even though I’m broken and a mess. I’m grateful that You love me the way You do and I ask that I’d live free and light as I rest in Your love. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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