Back to the Basics

Last night I went and watched the Northwest Christian High School varsity basketball game.  NCHS is a class-B high school in Lacey, WA.  It was their first home game of the season and going into last night they claimed a 0-1 record.

Now, I didn't go because I was bored, I didn't go to support the school, and I didn't go to support any of the players, because up until 1:30 Sunday afternoon I hadn't met any of them.  I did have reasons so don't think I acted out of character.  So far, I have led you to believe this is just a normal local high school.  That isn't entirely true.  NCHS is where my best friend, Jake Gamble, works as both a teacher and an assistant coach for the boys varsity basketball team.

Since I have no attachment to anything in my current environment except the home team (which is indirect as best) I decided to do something productive.  Now, doing what any High-C, Logical, Introvert would do I brought a pen and started to write down all the areas I saw that needed improvement.  My notes were divided into Offensive, Defensive, and Personal areas (for both players and coaches).  These I shared with my roommate when he arrived at home.  I really enjoyed this experience, both the scouting aspect (discussing areas needed for improvement) and the coaching aspect (discussing how to bring about the needed improvement).

One of the conclusions we came to after reviewing the lists (mine written, his mental [this makes a lot of sense if you know us]) we came to a very simple, yet possibly frustrating conclusion.  A lot of the areas deemed in need of improvement were things we both learned very early in our basketball development...definitely before high school.  Things like "triple-threat" and "fake-a-pass, make-a-pass" you expect them to know and be competent with otherwise where is your baseline.  The basics are important because they are the foundation upon which everything is built.

As I was praying tonight, God impressed upon me in complete clarity the importance of the baseline, or the basics.  He explained that it must go beyond knowledge.  It must reach beyond instance.  It requires commitment and surrender.  It is Transformation.  You see, as I laid on my floor humbly crying out to Him for guidance and direction, expressing repentance and submission, He responded with His notes about my performance.  He highlighted the areas that need improvement.

Despite this exposure, I didn't find myself insecure but rather encouraged.  I realized that I have heard all the teaching required to know the baseline.  I have practiced long enough to experiences single instances of it.  However, I have never committed completely.  I have never fully surrendered everything.  I have experienced redemption but now I desire a deeper level of Transformation. 

Lord, thank you for your conviction.  Father, grant me the grace to sell all that I own that I may buy the field.  Raise my level of affection for you so that all pails in comparison.