My basketball team used to sit quietly in the locker room before a game, mentally preparing for the challenge ahead. In our minds we went over and over our defensive and offensive plays, substitution patterns, scouting reports, and all things pertaining to a successful game. During one of these quiet, pregame moments, one of my starters came over to me and asked, “Coach, how do you know what to do when life  presents a challenge? How do you make the right decision?”

After repenting of my initial annoyance that this key players was not focused on the upcoming game, I told him that if he would simply develop a fundamental basis for life, difficult decisions would then come more easily. This is the essence of how we approach our sport, but even more important, it’s how we live the Christian life. In terms of playing ball, we drill our players with fundamentals and guide them in the skills of the sport, but it’s up to the players to rely on that background to make correct decisions during the course of the game.

In the Christian life, if we are strong in our faith and if we spend time learning all that God’s Word teaches, then decision making becomes less difficult because we are equipped with the foundation for making wise choices. As we practice our sports fundamentals, they become second nature. So shall be our path and our decision to follow the example of Jesus Christ.