THE BIBLE ACCORDING TO JORDAN’S LAST DANCE

I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying. — Michael Jordan

This one is a childhood memory re-lived. Watching Jordan — need I say more? The new documentary, The Last Dance has brought new life to the joys of Jordan. What a moment to be alive — so inspiring. I hope you get some of that sauce today.

1. Jordan Didn’t Start off The Best

As you watch the documentary, they are mindful to walk you through the progression of Jordan’s skills. He didn’t have the pedigree in High School. But, it was the lack of greatness that pushed him toward it.

I love seeing this start to Jordan because we all think he had it all the time. Even in college, it took him a year to find his wings.

I love this dialogue between Michael and Roy Williams of North Carolina. Michael was asking what it was going to take to be the best.

“I worked as hard as everybody else,” Jordan said in response to Williams. “I said, oh, excuse me, I thought you said you wanted to be the best to ever play here,” Williams said. “I’m going to show you, nobody will ever work as hard as I will,” Jordan said.

This kinda reminds me of that 1 Corinthians 💧 … That hunger, that drive.

‘but I train like a champion athlete. I subdue my body and get it under my control, so that after preaching the good news to others I myself won’t be disqualified.’ 1 Corinthians 9:27

2. Jordan Knew His Targets

During one of Jordan’s first Chicago Bulls road trips, he was brought into a decision making moment.

The Bulls were in Peoria for some sort of preseason trip. One of the guys had him come to his hotel room. As Jordan entered — he was met with a fury of decisions.

Some of the guys were doing blow, weed, pills, girls — whatever the poison — it was there, present, looking at him in the face. He had a serious decision to make with the audience of his team mates.

He walked out of the room.

The only way he could walk out — was because he knew why he was there in the first place. This is what Michael had to say.

I don’t smoke. I don’t do lines. I didn’t drink at the time. I was looking just to get some rest, get up and go play — Michael Jordan

In life, we must know our f’n targets. What are we born to do — what are we called to do — what excites you. Know these things in your life and stitch them with what God has for you. Get that VISION all OVER YOU.

‘Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God]. ‘ Proverbs 29:18

3. Jordan Competed Every Day

Jordan never turned it off.

He didn’t just compete on game days — he competed every day at practice. He dug into his team mates when they took time off, plays off or lacked energy. He made sure to lead his team into competition — no matter what.

When he scored 49 against the Celtics in the playoffs and lost — he competed.
When he then scored in the 50’s against the Celtics the following game — he competed. When he scored 63 the following playoff game and won against the Celtics — he competed. He never took the pressure off.

The transition from sports to life can be a struggle. I know, I’ve been there. As an avid sports lover and athlete — it’s a tricky transition.

Sometimes it’s hard to define who your opponent is or what you are playing for. However, even as I type that — it is ever apparent who my enemy is — it’s me.

When I push projects out to the next day and procrastinate — that’s not Jordan. When I only execute half of the checks I need to — that’s not Jordan. When I sludge around the internet or online shop during work — that’s not Jordan.

‘I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ‘ Philippians 3:14

I hope we press the “F” on today. I hope we see our lives as special. Each moment of our day, week, month and year to be something special. I hope we attack each day with new energy to be the best we can.

I hope we have coaches in our lives who tell us the truth of how to be the best. I hope we have friends who are honest with us — to make us better. I hope we are the best spouses we can be. The best parents we can be. The best version of our vision we can be.

It starts now — #JordanRules

Let’s pray:
This is the day you created. Help me to be more honest with myself. Stop being lazy when I need to work. Stop making excuses when it requires more attention. Be the best version you created me. Jesus — I need you. Help me become all that you know I can be. Amen.