March Madness - Give Me The Ball!

March madness is great to watch not because I have basketball ability, (you can tell that by my height), but because every year there are some good players that become great players. Some of the tournament games are nail bitters and come down to last second shots. When they do there are maybe one or two players on the team that have this attitude of, "just give me the ball." They want that pressure shot, they want to be the one making or breaking the teams future. Those are the players that go on in life to be the Michael Jordan's, Larry birds, and Magic Johnson's of this world.

Do you know that Jesus is just like one of those players? He lives for the moment. He wants the pressure shots, and he wants to have the ability in our lives to determine where we are going.

A few of you know I have had a hard time finding understanding in events in my life these last three weeks. Events out of my control, events with seemingly not much logical understanding, and events mixed with love, frustration, and fear. Monday evening I happened to be working late at my office, which I rarely do on Monday's. Also I parked my car on the side of my office, in which any one passing by wouldn't have known I was there.

Finally realizing that I had no control, there doesn't have to be any logic to love, and frustration was just giving me headaches and stomach aches. Monday was one of those days in which I felt in my heart I was turning the corner and releasing everything that the past three weeks had brought upon me to God and moving on with my life. At 5:00 my last client left and I decided to be still for a while. (A common theme I heard on three separate occasions this week in sermons). I guess you could say, I finally needed and wanted to pass the ball to someone else.

As I sat there quietly in my office I had this sudden urge to get on my knees and pray. But not the normal attitude prayer that normally comes out of my mouth. That morning I turned to Matthew and read about asking for things, knocking on Gods door and receiving his blessings. This time I said, "God you say in Matthew, now I am asking, just give me a "sign" one way or another with Amber that's it. That's all I am asking." And I said all in a confidence and a strong voice.

As God as my witness not even five minutes later I hear a knock at my office door, in walks Amber Smith! I have not spoken, seen her nor thought I ever would again in almost three weeks. Then all of a sudden she walks in. Needless to say, I was shocked not just because of her showing up, but because of what God had just did. Saving you with all the mushy details (which is none of your business anyway) we spoke for fifteen minutes answered some concerns of each others, took a step forward, hugged and said our good byes.

But, much greater than the details is what Jesus did because I handed the ball off to him. All along he would say to me, "Be still, give me the ball, let me make the pressure shots, and let me have your play book of life." However, all I needed to do was take the ball of burdens stretch out my arms and hand it to him. The minute my hands (thoughts and emotions) left the ball (my willingness to control and have answers) he answered and took the pressure shot. But not until I totally let go and let God.

What I learned was this, humble yourself before God (on your knees be the team player it's not about you)? Continually read the word and stand on it (study the play book). Go boldly to Jesus for answers (give him the pressure shots)

I don't know where my future is with Amber Smith, I still love her and I hope she believes that. What I do know is this; God is faithful on his time table. Whether we know it or not he watches over us always. And practice the Golden Rule no matter what.

So the next time you want to make the great shot, remember there are greater players around you if you just give them the ball. March madness is great to watch not because I have basketball ability, (you can tell that by my height), but because every year there are some good players that become great players. Some of the tournament games are nail bitters and come down to last second shots. When they do there are maybe one or two players on the team that have this attitude of, "just give me the ball." They want that pressure shot, they want to be the one making or breaking the teams future. Those are the players that go on in life to be the Michael Jordan's, Larry birds, and Magic Johnson's of this world.

Do you know that Jesus is just like one of those players? He lives for the moment. He wants the pressure shots, and he wants to have the ability in our lives to determine where we are going.

A few of you know I have had a hard time finding understanding in events in my life these last three weeks. Events out of my control, events with seemingly not much logical understanding, and events mixed with love, frustration, and fear. Monday evening I happened to be working late at my office, which I rarely do on Monday's. Also I parked my car on the side of my office, in which any one passing by wouldn't have known I was there.

Finally realizing that I had no control, there doesn't have to be any logic to love, and frustration was just giving me headaches and stomach aches. Monday was one of those days in which I felt in my heart I was turning the corner and releasing everything that the past three weeks had brought upon me to God and moving on with my life. At 5:00 my last client left and I decided to be still for a while. (A common theme I heard on three separate occasions this week in sermons). I guess you could say, I finally needed and wanted to pass the ball to someone else.

As I sat there quietly in my office I had this sudden urge to get on my knees and pray. But not the normal attitude prayer that normally comes out of my mouth. That morning I turned to Matthew and read about asking for things, knocking on Gods door and receiving his blessings. This time I said, "God you say in Matthew, now I am asking, just give me a "sign" one way or another with Amber that's it. That's all I am asking." And I said all in a confidence and a strong voice.

As God as my witness not even five minutes later I hear a knock at my office door, in walks Amber Smith! I have not spoken, seen her nor thought I ever would again in almost three weeks. Then all of a sudden she walks in. Needless to say, I was shocked not just because of her showing up, but because of what God had just did. Saving you with all the mushy details (which is none of your business anyway) we spoke for fifteen minutes answered some concerns of each others, took a step forward, hugged and said our good byes.

But, much greater than the details is what Jesus did because I handed the ball off to him. All along he would say to me, "Be still, give me the ball, let me make the pressure shots, and let me have your play book of life." However, all I needed to do was take the ball of burdens stretch out my arms and hand it to him. The minute my hands (thoughts and emotions) left the ball (my willingness to control and have answers) he answered and took the pressure shot. But not until I totally let go and let God.

What I learned was this, humble yourself before God (on your knees be the team player it's not about you)? Continually read the word and stand on it (study the play book). Go boldly to Jesus for answers (give him the pressure shots)

I don't know where my future is, what I do know is this; God is faithful on his time table. Whether we know it or not he watches over us always. And practice the Golden Rule no matter what.

So the next time you want to make the great shot, remember there are greater players around you if you just give them the ball.

Greg Ryan is a best selling author of the Changing from the INSIDE OUT series. A powerful five step plan to better your life, get healthier, and have more energy! For FREE mini Course click here! http://www.resolutions.bz

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