Chauncey Billups, Nov. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
“Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ‘Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.’ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.” — 1 Timothy 4:7-9 (NLT)
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The difference between loving God and loving what God can get you shows up in how you move when you’ve already been blessed.
I used to train NBA legend Chauncey Billups after he retired. While that might seem backward — having a trainer after retiring from the NBA — it actually proves everything about what makes Chauncey different. Even with nothing left to gain, no more contracts to earn, championships already won, he was still in the gym, working on his game.
One day Chauncey dropped this on me: “Most don’t love the game (basketball), they just love what the game gets them.” He broke it down like this: When you love the game, you love working on your game, no matter what. When things are bad, still you work on your game out of the love you have. When things are great, still you live in the gym working because it’s what you love.
When you love what the game gets you, your work is conditional. Once you get what you truly love — money, fame, lifestyle — then you abandon your work. Because of this, once some players get a max NBA contract, or a hefty NIL bag in college, they abandon their grind. As a result, they go from standout superstar to basic benchwarmer real quick.
What Chauncey says about hoopers can be said about many as it relates to their relationship with God — many love what God gets them more than they love God Himself. We ought to strive to be the same type of Christians that Chauncey is as a hooper. Chauncey, an NBA champion and Hall of Famer (and now Portland Trail Blazers head coach), proves his love for the game even after retirement. Because of his love, he continually trained and remained in shape and was equipped with his elite skills.
If you’re the same kind of Christian, even after God blesses you and you get the business popping, acquire the new property, marry your dream person, make it to the league, or get the coaching gig, you too will continually train and work on your “spiritual” game — read the Bible, pray diligently and walk with God through life.
By living life in such a way, you will remain spiritually fit, which will strengthen your heart continually to develop the wisdom needed to satisfy God with how you move. What’s your spiritual workout routine looking like? Are you training your heart daily or just showing up for game day? How do you express your love of God when nothing’s going your way?
Lord, change our hearts. Transform us from being transactional with You, where we use You for what we can get, and instead allow us to move like a spiritual Hall of Famer who values our relationship with You above everything and has a heart for You no matter the circumstances.
— Nick Graham
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