Are you afraid to shoot??

As a lifelong student of basketball, you see many parallels to life in the sport. And I love this sport.  At one time, playing ball was ALL I wanted to do.  Then coaching came along, but it wasn’t as much fun as playing.  Now I am relegated to watching because of my left elbow and the potential to dislocate.  I’ve found many life lessons on the court, and one that really strikes me today is the fear of shooting … Yep, that’s right!!

But WAIT … ISN’T THE POINT of basketball to SCORE??  To shoot the ball through the hoop as many times as you are able, and to prevent the opposition from doing it!!  The one with the most points WINS.  So, if you are afraid of shooting, why play?

Good question.  And there are many reasons to be afraid to shoot.  Fear that you won’t make the basket.  Fear that you will get your shot blocked.  Fear … that you will fail in some way.  And, little kids and rookies are not the ONLY ONES paralyzed by such fear.

The fear of failure gets WAYY TOO MUCH respect in our society and world today.  If you don’t shoot … if you don’t take your shot … YOU WILL NEVER SCORE.  In gun speak, if you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.

And, if you DO shoot … you will be criticized.  And that is ok!!  It’s so funny to me to watch people who are actually DOING something taking criticism while those who do little or nothing do not.  In politics, in business, in sports, and in life, there is ALWAYS someone who thinks they have a better idea and could do it better.  Just look at how much criticism Jesus took — AND HE IS THE SON OF GOD!!

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO FAIL!!  DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SHOOT!!  Have you ever heard the story of Thomas Edison and the lightbulb??  There are a variety of versions of this story and numbers associated with his quote, but this seems to be the most accurate version.  When asked by a NY Times reporter about all of his failures at inventing the light bulb, Edison replied “I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work.”

Take the shots God gives you!!  DON’T BE AFRAID!!  TRUST HIM AND HAVE FAITH!! When He calls on you to take your shot, HE HAS ALREADY PREPARED THE WAY!!

The GREATEST FEELING ON THE COURT is shooting and watching the net pop as the ball spins perfectly through the hoop!  It won’t happen everytime … but all it takes is a time or two, and you’ll be hooked!