LEBRON�S REBOUND
by Pastor
Rick Sams
LeBron James fell just one rebound short of his 17th career
triple double in the playoffs this past week. For non-basketball folks
that means double figures in rebounds, points and assists. Triple doubles
don�t come easily.
But I want to talk about his rebound from the floor
after Brendan Haywood savagely pushed him in game two of the Cavs series against
the Washington Wizards. That inexcusable move could have resulted in a
career ending injury to the man who is revolutionizing basketball.
Thankfully Lebron popped right up. It even looked like he might
retaliate against Haywood. But that was only momentary as James
class took over and he appeared almost instantly calmed.
Who else was
calming LeBron? I know the menacing presence of teammates Ben Wallace and
Zydrunas Ilgauskas towering over Haywood sent a calming signal that he would not
have to lift even one of his million dollar fingers to defend himself.
I
also know LeBron was raised in a good Christ-centered, Bible preaching church in
Akron. He�s been very generous with his millions: giving to charities and
starting a few more. His demeanor on and off the court reveals compassion
and character.
But the reality is I don�t know where LeBron stands in
his spiritual life these days. I don�t know if the Holy Spirit had a role
in calming LeBron.
But the Holy Spirit can calm you…and He can do it
quickly. One of the Holy Spirit�s roles is to give us peace, to calm us
when we really need it, and to convict us of sin. That means when we�re
doing something wrong He tells us. When we need to do something right He
tells us. How quickly we respond is another matter.
As we grow in
Christ-likeness we will respond quickly to that quiet voice of the Holy Spirit
who lives in all those who follow Jesus: "the Comforter…he lives with you and
will be in you…he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and
righteousness…he will guide you into all truth… (John 14:16-17; 16:8,
12).
Let this the Scriptures and this story show what the personal
presence of the Holy Spirit can do in your life to calm and convict
you.