Tuesday night, basketball fans tuned into an entertaining Game 1 of the NBA Finals filled with All-Stars, young rising stars, and solid veterans.
The Bucks and Suns' matchup is unique because neither team has appeared in the Finals in a very long time, so average fans aren’t as familiar with the players.
In recent years, we’ve gotten used to watching big names and worldwide superstars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant compete in the NBA Finals.
This year, however, the sports world is being introduced to Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton while seeing Kris Middleton shine in a different light.
Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo is a 2x NBA MVP award winner, he’s appearing in his first NBA Finals battling through a knee injury and isn't a true household name for casual fans.
With that said, the name everyone is talking about in these NBA Finals (especially after his performance in Game 1) is Suns' point guard, Chris Paul.
He’s well known because he’s played 16 years in the NBA and has had a successful career, but he’s not the fastest, tallest, strongest, flashiest, or the big-time 3-point shooter. Without receiving the same amount of attention or acclaim as his contemporaries, the average fan isn’t aware of what makes him such a great player.
Paul's performance was unbelievable during his Finals debut (he scored 32 points, shot 63%, and added 9 assists), but his impact on the court and his teammates goes beyond the box score. It’s the subtle nuances of his game that make him so effective as a point guard.
Because he hasn’t stood out with big dunks and deep 3’s over the years, fans haven’t always noticed what he does. We have to look closer at the way he makes the right pass at the right time and focus on his ability to know when to take the shot himself or pass to a teammate.
We have to listen to his teammates talk about him to really understand the role he has on this team that can’t be measured on the stat sheet. Paul can't fully be appreciated when casually watched. If someone isn't looking for it, they won't be aware of the real presence he has on the game.
Former NBA players, coaches, and diehard NBA people are the ones who seem to respect Paul the most and elevate him as an all-time great. They truly recognize his value because they have a keen eye to see what he does on the court and can discern the easily overlooked moves he makes.
Today, we can draw a parallel to our own lives by asking ourselves if we're aware of God’s presence in our lives?
Do we take time to recognize the subtle nuances of His power and grace?
Do we pause to realize that His impact goes beyond the obvious?
Do we look for the evidence of His supernatural grandness and goodness?
Do we take time to appreciate His handiwork in our lives?
Do we listen to followers of Jesus talk about the impact He's made on them?
Do we only honor Him for the “big dunks and deep 3’s” or do we praise Him for the undeserved mercy He shows us every day?
Do we overlook the moves He’s making or are we able to discern how He’s leading and guiding us?
The more we seek God, know Him, obey Him and experience Him, our eyes will be opened to behold His wonder, we'll identify the truth, and we’ll begin to notice what the “casual fan” doesn’t see.
Matthew 5:8 (AMP) says, “Blessed are the pure in heart , for they will see God.”
Paul prays in Philippians 1:9-10 (AMP), “...that your love may abound more and more in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent , and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ ...”
Jesus tells us in John 14:21 (CSB), "The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love Him and will reveal Myself to Him.”
As the NBA Finals continue, more and more fans will take notice of the greatness of Chris Paul’s game. But more importantly than that, let’s be encouraged to live pure lives with eyes that see God’s divine character and discern His Spirit moving in us as we praise His holy name.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray my heart would be aligned with You and my eyes fixed on Jesus. Help me be aware of Your power and goodness and recognize the amazing ways You're working in my life. Teach me not to overlook how amazing Your grace and mercy truly are. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
In what ways have your eyes been open to see the ways of God or the character of God?
What changes need to be made in your life to start noticing God and be more aware of His presence?
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