Despite the Super Bowl being this weekend, the sports world has been discussing and reacting to the shocking news that the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis (other players and picks included) late Saturday night.
Luka is one of the top players in the NBA. He just led his team to the NBA Finals last summer, is a perennial MVP candidate, and is entering the prime of his career. He and Michael Jordan are the only players in NBA history to average at least 30 points per game in the playoffs during their careers.
Mavs fans are devastated to see Luka sent to LA while the media and sports fans everywhere are trying to understand the how and why of this deal.
Was it really because the Mavs front office thought that Anthony Davis gave them a better chance to win a championship? What was going on behind the scenes that led to this major trade?
One of the main talking points and reasons to justify trading a player of Luka's magnitude is his unwillingness to get in the right shape. He was considered overweight and had dealt with numerous injuries. He didn't seem committed to taking care of his body to be the best player he could be and remain on the court at a high level.
There are reports that sources told ESPN, "The Mavericks were motivated to move Doncic because of his constant conditioning concerns. There had been significant frustration within the organization about Doncic's lack of discipline regarding his diet and conditioning, which team sources considered a major factor in his injury issues."
Because of injuries, he has only played 22 games this season and hasn't played since Christmas Day. It appears that Luka figured he could continue ignoring advice and get away with being out of shape and often injured since he still put up incredible statistics and experienced playoff success.
However, it has caught up to him. The Mavs had enough, and not only has he been traded, but it will also cost him financially because he will miss out on being eligible to sign the Supermax contract.
I'm fascinated by this wild story, but as we consider the importance of players being in shape and not carrying extra weight while playing in the NBA, let's unpack how this parallels our journey as followers of Jesus.
Are we committed to staying in shape spiritually? Do we take spiritual practices seriously? Do we exercise self-control and self-discipline in making wise decisions and obeying God? Â Are we ignoring advice and just doing what we want to do, thinking we'll keep getting away with it?
What is the condition of our heart? What "extra weight" are we carrying, and what is weighing us down?
Are we hanging onto sin, causing us to be "out of shape," which can hurt ourselves and others? Is it preventing us from being at our very best to serve God and maximize the gifts and talents He's given us for His purposes?
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) encourages us to "drop the weight" as it says, "…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."
In 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT), Paul gives a good example of how to value obedience and discipline: "I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others, I myself might be disqualified."
He also writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NIV), "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God…"
Just as NBA players have to control and discipline their bodies, we do, too, physically and, more importantly, spiritually.
Today, let's ask ourselves if we are spiritually in shape or out of shape…and if we're willing to drop the unnecessary weight that slows us down and puts us at risk of injury. Let's not miss out or pay the price because of our stubbornness and pride.
We can't embrace the new mindsets and drop the sins that weigh us down unless we surrender to Jesus and rely on the Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts. As we find freedom and strength because of our faith in Him, we will be "in spiritual shape" to live the life He's called to.
Romans 8:13 (NIV) tells us, "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."
I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please take the weight I'm carrying and renew my mind so I can live a Holy life pleasing to You. I know you love me and have shown me so much grace. I desire to live in the freedom You provide. Please help me gain self-control and self-discipline. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.