Monday, April 9, 2007 ~~ The moment finally arrived. I was dressing out with the college
varsity. I had waited my whole life to hear the words, "You can play on our team!" I was a
walk-on for Pikeville College. I never played in high school - I was cut 5 times. I never quit!
I was consumed with ambition to get better and show people I knew how to play basketball.
Coach had given me jersey number 14. I thought that was great. I use to wear 41 in church
league. Originally, I wore the number 11, out of my admiration for Isaiah Thomas, but I
wanted to change that. I wanted a number that idolized God. My favorite verse was Psalm
37:4, "Delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." 37 plus 4 was 41, so
41 laid on my back since I changed my life around. I could live with 14 for that night,
especially since things were kind of upside down lately.
There was nothing more my young heart wanted than to have a chance to express myself on
the basketball court in front of a large group of fans. I finally got my opportunity. I sat in my
locker before the start of the game, praying and thanking God for finally getting an
opportunity that most people thought would never come. Then God spoke ~~~
"Mark, let me show you how perfect I am. You think that it's perfect to have 14, because 41
is 14 backwards. Your life isn't backwards. It's working out exactly as I have planned.
3 + 7 + 4..... is 14. Mark...you have delighted in me. Be prepared to receive the desires of
your heart.!"
I had never heard God so clear. He was as real as he had ever been in my life at that
moment. Tears flushed down my face. This is what it really feels like to live.
We're down by 30 points. Crowd is chanting "put in King!" I'm a freshman, but it's Senior
Night! Coach subsides. It's the 3:01 mark.in the fourth quarter. "Mark, go get Heston!"
Finally, my moment arrived.
I was very nervous. My palms were like a wet cloth. My first touch of the ball, I go to the
cross-over. I beat my man, but a defender came to help. I pass it off.
A couple of plays later, I grab an offensive rebound. The lane parted like the red sea. I drive.
A defender comes from no where. I'm fouled. It's a bonus situation at the free throw line.
The crowd is anxious to see me score my first points as a Bear. The free throw is up.... Hard
off the back iron. The exhale from the crowd dried the sweat off of my palms.
Eight seconds to go, there's a steal...my teammate passes me the ball. It's me and two
defenders. "ANKLES, MARK!" my assistant coach yelled. I cross the first guy over, head
straight to the rim. The other defender challenges. I drive in for the lay-up. The defender
jumps...smacks the glass. I scoop the ball up and under! 2 POINTS!!!!
CROWD....GOES....CRAZY!!!! The buzzer sounds. Standing ovation, and we lost by like 40!
Being a Christian is not just about reading God's word everyday, or being good to people,
sharing what you have with someone in need, etc. It's more so a relationship. God wants us
to talk to Him, and He wants us to listen to Him. If you take time to do both, you will really
start to understand who God is, what He is about, and what exactly He wants to do with your
life!
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
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"Delight yourself in the Lord....
...and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4, NIV
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| Last Seen composing another spiritual masterpiece that ministers to others REWARD: Publication on TCOB Submit to: mark@thecrossoverbasketball.com |
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