A marquee matchup took place last night between NBA legend, LeBron James and rookie, Zion Williamson. With both players and teams playing well, the tight game showcased an entertaining brand of basketball.
Now in his 17th season, LeBron reminded us that he’s still the best player in the league, and in my opinion, this year’s MVP. Scoring 34 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds, he carried the Lakers to the win.
Zion, in only his 15th game of his career, proved that he’s already a star and the future of the NBA. He scored a career-high 35 points and shot 75% from the field.
Although last night’s game was fun to watch with its high scoring (122-114), big dunks, and long 3’s, both teams appeared to be careless with the basketball – including Zion and LeBron.
Of course, both players in this epic dual were playing extremely
hard and trying to make the next big play, but with how fast-paced the game was, turnovers were an issue.
Sometimes it was dribbling into the defense and losing the ball and other times it was throwing the ball out of bounds while attempting a difficult pass.
There was even one shocking play where LeBron forgot to throw the ball to his teammate before stepping in bounds and turned the ball over instead.
It may sound like I’m nitpicking here, but as well as Zion and LeBron played, I can’t help but notice they led their teams with six turnovers each. That’s a lot of turnovers when you consider the league leader (Trae Young) averages 4.7 per game.
I don’t want to take away from an awesome game, but I do want to point out that being careless with the basketball can end up being costly in tight games and particularly in the playoffs.
In a similar way, being careless in our own lives is also concerning.
When we get fast-paced and run from “one big play” to the next, we can experience our own version of turnovers.
Sometimes we get so distracted that we forget to do something important. While being unbalanced, we run right into the defense and end up doing something out of character. We can also become careless with our time, health, and finances.
Even though we might be doing amazing things all “over the floor,” if we start moving too fast without thinking, pausing, and looking around, we can easily turn the ball over instead.
Being careless is defined as “not giving sufficient attention or thought to avoid harm or errors.”
As followers of Jesus, it’s paramount that we remain firm, diligent, aware, focused, and serious about obedience and avoiding traps and turnovers.
This often means we need to slow down so we can be careful, wise, and thoughtful about the decisions we’re making and the path we’re pursuing.
The Bible says in Ephesians 5:17 (AMP), “Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is.”
The Message translation of the same verse puts it this way: “Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.”
We’re also reminded in Matthew 26:41 (AMP) to “Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Today, as the busyness of life tries to get the best of us, let’s not be careless but hold onto the truth while pursuing the will of God. Let’s give sufficient attention and thought to avoid unnecessary harm, errors, and turnovers.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I wouldn’t be so fast-paced, preoccupied, and unfocused. Help me not to be careless, but to understand and firmly grasp what Your will is for me. Teach me how to be thoughtful, watchful, and prayerful so I don’t give in to temptation. I need Your strength. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
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What leads to carelessness in your own life? What are some examples of times you’ve been careless and it led to mistakes?
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In what areas of your life do you need to slow down the pace so you can be more watchful and thoughtful?
