Basketball coaches love it when their players have court awareness. Unlike dribbling, passing or shooting where athletes rely strictly on athletic talent during the course of a game, court awareness is a talent that involves competing with mental alertness, seeing all the obstacles in advance and reacting while moving at full speed. The great players have that special ability.

Many times over the years our team has competed against opponents with more physical talent. The games all start the same way. The opponents strut onto the court with a sense of confidence and a swagger in their own abilities. Their body language indicates they’re confident of dominating the contest.

Shortly after tip-off the melt down begins for the opponent. Realizing that although they may be the more dominant athletes on the court physically, they are competing against a team more mentally disciplined and emotionally balanced that relies upon one another rather than individual ability. Simply put, they have a much better understanding of how the game is to be played.

Our Christian walk is very similar. It requires  that we have spiritual eyes to see. When we begin to grasp that wisdom comes from being attached to the Vine, we set the foundation for success in all areas of our life. Reading God’s Word and understanding His precepts keeps us from fouling out in the game of life. Spending quiet time listening and reflecting upon what we hear from the Spirit each day is where our real understanding is found. Knowing we have other believers as our teammates who will hold us accountable and that we can rely upon in difficult times also provides great assurance of our success.