The NBA Finals start tomorrow with the Golden State Warriors playing in their 5th straight, while the Toronto Raptors are making their first appearance as a franchise.
Fans are familiar with the Warriors and are used to seeing Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson stepping onto the court this time of year.
The Raptors, on the other hand, have opened our eyes throughout these playoffs with their impressive teamwork and incredible play from their star player, Kawhi Leonard.
Although their roster is filled with players who fit well together, what makes them so special is the fact that none of them were a lottery pick.
Every other team in the NBA playoffs had at least one player who was drafted with the 7th pick or better, but the Raptors don’t have one guy who was taken in the top 14.
Marc Gasol entered as the lesser talented younger brother to Pau and was taken in the 2nd round. Danny Green won a championship at UNC, but three of his teammates were all drafted before him, and yet he’s had the best NBA career.
Fred VanVleet went undrafted while Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka were all picked in the 20s. Kawhi Leonard was taken 15th by the Spurs, but he came from San Diego State - a smaller basketball program.
The point is, the Raptors aren’t the most highly touted team with the strongest, fastest, tallest, and most athletic players coming into the NBA, but here they are playing for an NBA Championship.
Whether in sports or life, we can easily get caught up in the lie that the most talented, most impressive speaking, best-looking, smartest, and richest people are the ones who accomplish the greatest things.
This mentality is especially discouraging and untrue when it comes to being used by God. We tell ourselves that we aren’t spiritual enough or gifted enough or know the Bible well enough and believe God can’t use us in significant ways.
The truth is, however, that God uses humble people whose hearts are devoted to Him and actively seeking Him. He's looking for people who are surrendered, open, and filled with faith.
If we have a willingness to serve Him, He will equip us with whatever we need to accomplish something significant for His purposes and His glory.
As we read the Bible, we see God using unlikely characters to accomplish His will. Whether we’re talking about Moses or Joseph in the Old Testament or the disciples in the New Testament, it’s not always the “lottery picks” that God picks for His team.
The story of David is also a good example of this and 1 Samuel 16:7 (AMP) provides encouraging insight into God’s perspective:
"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'”
Let’s always remember that God provides the strength and power we need to do His work. We must decide to stop making excuses about not being talented or smart enough, and instead, open our hearts and hands by stepping out in faith.
Today, let’s choose to be a servant of the Lord with a heart that is committed to Him. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know I’m inadequate in my own strength, but I believe You can use me because of Your power to accomplish significant things. I pray my heart would be fully surrendered and my humble spirit would allow You to move in me and through me. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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