Have you ever been rejected before? By your family members? Friend? Your crush or person you’re pursuing? By your dream company?
Watching the NBA Stories this afternoon at Basketball TV, the program featured unknown players who were fighting for the 10th, 11th and 12th spot in the NBA team roster after figuring in a tough Summer Camp where head coaches from 29 different teams have a glimpse of the pool of talent they could choose from and—who to drop at the 11th hour.
In the NBA Stories I watched, they featured two teams—the Denver Nuggets led by head coach George Karl and New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott (who incidentally was fired early this season).
Both coaches shared their insights and observations on the pool of talent they handled during the critical month of October before the NBA’s new season unfolds.
At the same time, the program focused their cameras on several young, potential players, who, after banging their bodies, sweating it out for weeks and pumping the iron to bulk themselves up—still end up failing to make the final lineup.
Toronto Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell, a former star of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 1990s, shared how difficult it is for him as a coach to break the bad news to a few players, who fail to make the team after working hard to try to reach their NBA dream.
Put yourself in the shoes of these aspiring NBA players, and you’d feel the ultimate rejection if you fail to make the grade or earn the nod of the coaches.
How would you feel if, after giving your very best during the Summer Camp, the coach would take you by the side and break the hard-to-accept news that your best wasn’t good enough?
As I consider the stories of the harsh realities aspiring NBA players go through each year, I thought of God once more and His completely different standard in dealing with us (sinners).
Considering that the Bible says there’s no one among us who is righteous (see Romans 3), the Lord still considered us for his “team”, His Kingdom.
I wouldn’t have made the cut in God’s “dream team” if He’d look at my unimpressive resume–because I’m imperfect, ill-tempered, incapable of changing for the better and a man who possesses a filthy tongue and mind.
Yet, through God’s initiative, that of sending His Only Son Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago, imperfect people like me got a chance to be reconciled to Him, thereby bringing the ultimate bridging of the gap between man and God.
Through one man, Jesus, my life was changed from the pit of sin and defeat to a life marked by Christ’s amazing grace and love.
I’m forgiven, being changed daily and being renewed inside and out.
This, I believe, is the true meaning of Christmas. It’s not about parties, not about fun and family reunions, but it’s about God’s abundant love and grace demonstrated through Jesus Christ.
This may sound familiar, but Jesus is the ultimate reason for this season.
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