By Matt Osborne, Staff Writer

With football season in full swing, the 2023-2024 NBA regular season is just a few short weeks away.

Per usual, there are plenty of intriguing storylines to keep fans engaged in conversation as we await the action to start on the hardwood.

At least one noteworthy storyline involves an elite player who has been in the headlines for more than two decades.

Los Angeles Lakers star, LeBron James, is preparing to embark on his 21st season as a professional basketball player. This is an incredible feat considering the grueling nature of a sport which takes a significant toll on the body.

To this point in history, only 16 players have been able to play a 20th season at basketball’s highest level, and none of them were able to do so while maintaining the level of play James demonstrated last season.

Despite turning 38 midway through the campaign, James finished last season with averages of 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game, solidifying his status as one of the league’s best players.

What is perhaps even more impressive than his statistical output is the fact that James isn’t resting on his laurels so late in his career. Rather than cruising his way through the twilight of his career, he continues to demonstrate a strong work ethic and a desire to improve upon his skills.

At a recent press conference, Lakers general manager, Rob Pelinka, said of James, “It’s staggering for a player who has 20 years under the hood already and is preparing for 21 like he’s a rookie. He’s been doing 6 a.m. workouts. Probably been in our building as much as any player this offseason. Been in the weight room as much as any player.”

Regardless of how you feel about James as a player, there’s something we can learn from the way he has continually put in the work necessary to perform at a high level after so much time has passed.

As followers of Jesus, we all face the temptation to get complacent in our spiritual lives. However, if we give in to complacency and become slothful in our practice of spiritual disciplines such as prayer and reading the Bible, we significantly hinder our ability to “perform at a high level” when seeking to glorify God.

Scripture contains numerous rebukes for people who demonstrated complacent tendencies in their lives. Here is a familiar one:

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16; NIV).

Though the Bible is abundantly clear that our salvation is not based upon our works or our commitment to spiritual disciplines, it’s also crystal clear that all believers should demonstrate a desire to grow and mature as we follow Christ.

“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown for His name in ministering to [the needs of] the saints (God’s people), as you do. And we desire for each one of you to show the same diligence [all the way through] so as to realize and enjoy the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be [spiritually] sluggish, but [will instead be] imitators of those who through faith [lean on God with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in His power] and by patient endurance [even when suffering] are [now] inheriting the promises” (Hebrews 6:10-12; AMP).

Many things can lead people to complacency when living out their faith. Some people may feel comfortable with their current level of “spirituality,” and no longer feel like it’s necessary to advance further. Others may claim they’re too busy or simply lack the motivation and discipline to put in the work necessary for growth.

But one important thing to remember is that deciding to put in the effort toward spiritual growth and maturity is ultimately a choice, and not based on a feeling.

Rather than waiting for us to “feel” like taking the time to pray, read the Bible, meditate on God’s attributes, serve, or participate in any other spiritual discipline, we must decide to put in the necessary effort, trusting God to transform our feelings and emotions as we seek after Him.

Jeremiah 23:29 (NASB) says, “‘Is My word not like fire?’ declares the LORD, ‘and like a hammer which shatters a rock?’”

God’s Word is a fire that provides warmth to a heart-grown cold, so we must consistently practice coming to Scripture and letting God use it to grow our desires for Him.

As we persist in these disciplines, we can be confident that God will work through His Word to help us “perform at a high level” in our walk with Him.

Hebrews 4:12a (AMP) reminds us, “For the Word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective].”

So today, let’s make war against complacency, choosing to practice our spiritual disciplines until our fire burns brightly for Jesus.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I’ve grown complacent in my walk with You. Please help me be disciplined and consistent in choosing to seek after You. Thank you for the spiritual benefits I know I will receive when I do so. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.