Don't fumble the ball

I have been thinking more and more lately about the importance of my generation setting up the play that will hand off the ball to the next generation. As a basketball player , when I was a child, I was taught to not be a “ball hog”. The ball hogs were people who wouldn’t pass the ball but wanted it for themselves so that they could score the points. They usually felt they were better that the others on the team. One of the problems with that kind of thinking is that the day comes when for one reason or another they are out of commission and the team must play without them. One of the core beliefs in my life is that I need to constantly be training those coming up behind me to replace me. I am not planning to retire in the near future, but there are some great ball handlers in the younger generation that need to be getting experience in game situations. There are two Greek words that we have been using at church. Exousia and dunamis refer to authority and empowerment. It is frustrating in life to have authority and not exercise it. Great leaders have a handle on the things they are authorized to do and empowered to do. As believers in Jesus Christ we have been given both with the purpose of successfully carrying the good news of the gospel to the next generation. This is not a time to fumble. It is a time to make good passes and sharpen our skills during practice times. I don’t want God to “bench” me for being a ball hog.