Fundamentals

IT’S OFFICIAL

This past weekend I officiated my first JV volleyball tournament. I have this saying that “all of life speaks to all of life”. Life will act out metaphors and similes.

You saw some teams walk in and could feel the intimidation. Then you saw teams that were dressed for the part but not ready. Mercy Lord. 🤦🏽‍♀️

In the end, the championship game did host the 2 best teams. It showed in the players and the coaches. One coach used strategy and tricks with alignment and positioning. The other used fundamentals - basic alignment: front row, back row, play your position. Can you guess who won?

OFFICIAL WINNER

The team that executed the basics won! The team that had all the tricks was the one that caused the most confusion. At times they served out of order, had illegal alignments and used improper tactics. There was just confusion on their side. OFFICIAL PROCEDURES

Now the victors won on and off the court. The girls played a solid game. The coach was solid and had a solid staff. She utilized her position on the floor and simply encouraged her girls to victory: “Great serve”, “good hit”, “nice save“! The team was humble!

Conversely, in one set the other team scored the first 3 points and when they did so, they screamed! It really felt like the scream was intimidating and not cheering 🤷🏽‍♀️😳😏. Had to see this one play out. Even in earlier games, I remember hearing them say “Good game” and wave to the losing team.“ But in my spirit I felt they were singing, “Nah nah! Nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, Good bye!”

The honorable mention goes to the scorekeeper. She caught the other team being out of alignment and having the wrong server.

The winners spoke quietly amongst one another and called ball and said things like “back“ if it was back row. When the game was over, they celebrated with a group hug. I don’t even remember the sound but I could see the love, the sweet care the coach had as she leaned her head to the right and squeezed. The tears fell but it was contained. They trusted one another and it worked!!!

None of us win alone! It takes 25 points to win a volleyball game. In a game, you can score a point and also give one to the other team. Score for your team by executing the fundamentals.

OFFICIALLY YOURS

In the scriptures below, Jesus gave us the absolute fundamentals to life involving loving God, self and others. Forget the tricks and schemes. Make LOVE be your strategy. Trust the Lord and play your position. He will give you those who love you and have your back.

THE OFFICIAL WORD

Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37+ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39+ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40+ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

HEAD OFFICIAL

Jesus’ life depicted that you cannot have a seat on the throne if you can’t master the basics. Loving God is keeping His commandments! It’s fundamental!