Reflection
Another year of March Madness is in the books–what a month of games on both the women’s and men’s sides.
What a couple of championship games!
The other day, I listened to a podcast that featured Don Yaeger, a former mentee of the late great basketball coaching legend John Wooden.
Wooden was known for the very thoughtful phrases he would use to motivate his players. Yaeger shared that his favorite Wooden saying was, “Once the opportunity arrives, it’s too late to prepare.”
Each year’s March Madness winner is usually the team that seized the opportunity at hand and created the most “luck” in “one shining moment” through months and months of preparation.
A little over five years ago, a Christ-following friend lost his daughter due to a brain aneurysm.
I had lunch with my friend a few months after this tragic event.
I asked him how he was doing and what he said to me was the most powerful sermon I’ve ever witnessed. He said, in my recollection, “Jay, this may sound strange, but not long after I lost my daughter, this unbelievable feeling of peace came over me, and it’s never left me.” He went on to say, “The normal human being wouldn’t understand what I’m talking about, but I think you get it, Jay, don’t you? I feel so fortunate (lucky) to have His peace cover me during this very difficult time in my life.”
My spirit filled with goosebumps while my eyes teared up, and I said, “Yes, I get it.”
Dave’s daily habit of preparing for battle like a God-revering champion gave him peace and a feeling of “luck” when most of us would have been filled with shock, anger, and tremendous misfortune.
Dave probably was in shock and anger, but God’s peace overtook those feelings because of his daily spiritual preparation.
When you prepare like a champ, you handle the game of life like a champ.
Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Journal your thoughts:
How’s your spiritual preparation going?
What am I grateful for today?
In what way(s) will I bring light to the world today?
What will I deny myself so I may draw closer to God and gain more peace in my life today?
Prayer:
God, I offer myself to Thee—To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always! Amen. (Third Step Prayer – Chapter 5, pg.63, The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous)
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
