When the Dallas Mavericks traded for star point guard, Kyrie Irving in February of 2023, many experts were curious how things would pan out with Irving and Luka Doncic in the same backcourt. Although nobody questioned whether the move made the Mavericks more talented, there were serious concerns about how the two ball-dominant guards would gel together. Initially, it appeared that those concerns would be warranted. After receiving Irving from Brooklyn in early February, the Mavericks posted a losing record for the remainder of the season and failed to qualify for the playoffs. With the disappointing close to the season, many people continued to argue that Dallas’ formula would never work. Some were clamoring for Dallas to go back to the drawing board and try to develop a new strategy. But rather than concocting a new plan, the Mavericks signed Irving to a three-year contract during the offseason, cementing their commitment to the plan they put in place. Fast-forward almost a year, and it’s safe to say that Dallas’ strategy has paid off. After dominant displays from Irving and Doncic in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Mavericks are now headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. In a sports landscape where many organizations are too quick to shake things up and change strategies, it’s refreshing to see a team stick with their strategies - even when it initially appeared that things weren’t panning out. When it comes to living out our faith as followers of Jesus, there are times when the “strategy” God has given us in certain areas isn’t panning out the way we had hoped. But rather than seeing if we can develop our own plan to produce results by being pragmatic, we need to remain consistent in our obedience to what God has commanded us to do. There are many ways that this concept could be applied, but let’s focus on two today: evangelism and prayer. If people don’t come to Jesus as we had hoped, we may think our approach needs to change in reaching the lost. We might think we need new attractions and programs that entice people to come to faith in Christ. However, scripture teaches that people come to faith in Christ not because we have the most clever approach, but because of the power of the simple gospel message. Romans 10:17 (NLT) says, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” Romans 1:16 (ESV) further tells us, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” The power for salvation isn’t in our best human strategy…it’s in the gospel message. When we aren’t seeing the results we want in evangelism, the answer isn’t a new strategy. Instead, we should persevere in God’s task to preach the gospel, trusting He will produce results in due time. The same principle can be applied to our prayer life. When we don’t see our desired results in prayer, we can get discouraged and think we need to go and fix things in our own strength. But Colossians 4:2 (NKJV) urges us to, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” God has given us prayer to change and make an impact for His glory. When we don’t see immediate results, the call isn’t to look for a new plan but to continue earnestly in prayer. Today, we don’t have to create new strategies and approaches in areas where God has already given us clear instructions. Let’s persevere and stick to the plan He’s shown us, and trust that He will produce results as we press on. I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for instructing me how to bring You glory and make an impact in Your kingdom. Please help me guard against trying to do things my way, and persevere in what You’ve called me to do. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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