The Boston Celtics are the NBA Champions after beating the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. The Celtics were dominant all season long and proved to be the best team this year, while historically going down as one of the top teams.
According to theringer.com, “The Celtics outscored teams in the regular season by 11.3 points per game (the fifth-largest margin ever), and they followed up with a plus-8.1 differential in the playoffs.
From opening night through the last buzzer of the Finals, Boston outscored its opponents by 1,083 total points—the fourth-highest raw point differential in NBA history.”
The Celtics were notably dominant, and they won because they were talented, humble, and selfless, and each player knew their role.
They were also well-coached and followed their respected leader, Joe Mazzulla, who has been boldly outspoken about his faith. While celebrating the championship and doing interviews on Tuesday night, he confidently wore a t-shirt that read “But First…Let Me Thank God.”
We appreciate it when coaches and athletes shift their attention and appreciation to the One who deserves all the praise, glory, and honor. God is the source of life and the giver of every good gift. So the message of Mazzulla’s shirt is right on and is an encouragement and a reminder to us, as followers of Jesus, to first thank God in all we do.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (AMP) says, “…in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
It’s one thing to thank God when you’re an NBA Champion, bought your dream home, got a promotion, or had a baby. “But First…Let Me Thank God” should be intertwined in every aspect of our lives: before we step out of bed, before we close our eyes to go to sleep, before we walk into the office, before we leave the office, before we eat, and before we walk in the door at the end of the work day.
If we’re honest, we forget to live thankful lives, acknowledging and honoring Jesus and thanking God continuously and in all circumstances.
However, Colossians 3:17 (AMP) tells us, “Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
When we live a life of gratitude to God, we receive His gifts and enjoy His blessings with humility, knowing that everything we have is because of His grace, love, and kindness.
Psalm 136:1 (ESV) implores us to “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”
Today, as we think about how coach Mazzulla’s message on his shirt stood out during the Celtics’ pandemonium, let’s live out that message amid the craziness and celebrations of life – “But First, Let me THANK God.”
Hebrews 12:28 (NLT) encourages us: “Since we are receiving an unshakable Kingdom, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with Holy fear and awe.”
I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for being ungrateful and taking things for granted. Please help me live a life with thankfulness and honor to You. Teach me to pause and turn my attention to You with a heart of gratitude. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
