In all NBA games, we witness blown calls, traveling that wasn’t whistled, and fouls that could have gone either way. Then every once in a while, there's an egregious call in which teams think the refs altered a game's outcome.
Earlier this week, James Harden from the Houston Rockets dunked the ball with such force that it went through the net and somehow popped back up, causing it to appear like a missed shot.
We know now that the basket should have counted, but the refs waved it off at the moment and the Rockets were unable to challenge the call.
This play happened with 7 minutes and 50 seconds left in the 4th quarter with the Rockets up by 13 and that dunk by Harden should have extended the lead to 15.
Instead, the dunk didn’t count and the Rockets went on to lose the game in double overtime to the San Antonio Spurs...by 2 points!
The Rockets are still upset about the call and are officially protesting the game and requesting the league allow them to replay the final 7 minutes, 50 seconds with a 15 point lead.
I personally think this is an outrageous request because the game was already played, the basket didn’t count, and they had plenty of time and opportunity to finish the game with a win.
Even though the Rockets could make a great case for why they thought the basket should have counted...it didn’t. There are a lot of different layers to this play, but today I want to unpack the Rockets' desire for something to count that didn’t count.
Every day we make decisions, spend time on activities, and pursue particular things. Oftentimes, these are driven by money, power, self-satisfaction, prestige, and status and we consider them “slam dunks.” However, we eventually realize they don’t count like we thought they should!
At the end of our lives, we’ll look back and try to convince ourselves or others that those worldly pursuits have to count for something. When we realize they don’t, we’ll have a desire to go back and replay our lives.
Unfortunately, when the game is over, the game is over. That’s why we have to make sure our lives really matter and we make every day count. Even if we’re not thrilled with our past, there's still time and opportunity to finish with a win.
The only way to live a life that matters and counts for eternity is to remain focused on Jesus and rooted in God’s word. Then our lives will be marked by faith, love, hope, and joy. We’ll pursue each day with meaning and purpose.
Galatians 5:6 (NIV) says, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Paul shares this powerful prayer that can be our desire as well:
"And this I pray, 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 ; filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God ” (Philippians 1:9-11; AMP).
This approach is a “slam dunk” that counts! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to live a life that matters, so please help me pursue what really counts in Your eyes. I pray I would express my faith through love, and not get caught up in worldly pursuits that don’t have longterm significance. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What are you pursuing in life that won’t end up counting in the long run?
How can you practically live a life filled with meaning and purpose and what truly matters?
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