Whatever it Takes

In an NCAA Tournament that has been chiefly chalk up to this point, the 10th-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks were the most prominent "Cinderella" team to advance to this year's Sweet Sixteen.

For a good portion of Thursday evening's matchup against third-seeded Texas Tech, it appeared as though Arkansas' March magic might continue.

Although the Razorbacks led by 16 points with less than 10 minutes remaining, the Red Raiders mounted a furious comeback at the end of regulation to force overtime before ultimately prevailing 85-83 at the end of the extra five minutes.

Texas Tech junior Darrion Williams, who struggled shooting the basketball for most of the contest, made a clutch three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime.

He capped off his performance by sinking the go-ahead basket with seven seconds remaining in the extra period to send the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight.

Commenting on Williams' performance down the stretch, Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland remarked, "I put faith in him because I do believe that he'll find a way in one-game scenarios to do whatever it takes to win. I honestly do. Whatever it takes."

As a whole, Williams and the Texas Tech team certainly embodied the "Whatever it takes" attitude in their come-from-behind win. No matter what they faced, they scrapped and exuded tremendous effort to get the job done.

As followers of Jesus, there are many areas of our walk of faith where embracing a "Whatever it takes" attitude would be incredibly beneficial.

One such example would be how we attempt to evangelize to unbelievers. Though we never want to cross into sin to win souls for Christ, we should be willing to do whatever is necessary to reach people for Jesus.

In 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 (ESV), the Apostle Paul writes, "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews.

“To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some."

Likewise, when we notice that one of our brothers or sisters in Christ has a significant need, we should be willing to do whatever it takes to help meet that need.

The early church excelled in this area, setting a tremendous example that we should desire to emulate.

Acts 2:44-45 (NASB) tells us of the early church disciples, "And all the believers were together and had all things in common; and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need."

In our walk with Christ, it can be easy to find excuses to justify why we don't have the time or energy to dedicate to critical spiritual disciplines that will strengthen our walk with God and jumpstart our sanctification.

But once again, we must show resolve as people willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that we intentionally grow in our faith.

In speaking on the need for self-discipline, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV), "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

“Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

There are numerous other areas of the life of faith where we could apply this principle. However, the big concern for today is that we understand that the Christian walk requires tremendous effort and sacrifice.

Today, let's resolve to be people who will do whatever it takes to grow in our faith, meet the needs of others, and reach people for Jesus so that God may be honored in all that we say and do.

I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please give me tremendous strength and resolve to do difficult things to please You. Please help me be selfless and lead a disciplined life to make the most of my time here. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.