Transform Your Game | Listen

Basketball

To be the best player we can be, we must always be learning, growing and improving.

To do this, we have to LISTEN.

Why do NBA and WNBA players – the best in the world – have coaches to tell them what to do? Because even the most talented players need instruction.

Paying attention and listening, helps us in learning.

Information gained while listening involves 2 things:

1. the source (a messenger), and
2. the information (a message).

The Messenger

During a basketball practice or game you receive information from your coaches, teammates, opponents, referees, and the crowd.

• Your coaches tell you things to improve your skills, or ways to help your team.
• Teammates encourage you or give you tips about the next play.
• Opponents try to get in your head.
• Officials communicate directions about the rules.
• The crowd cheers (or boos).

This is where you must decide who is a trustworthy messenger and who is not – which is dependent upon the message.

The Message

Once again, in basketball practices and games, different messengers use different volumes or tones to get their message accross.

• Coaches yell out of anger, frustration, or simply to be heard. All in order convey specific message about what they need you do to.
• Teammates loudly celebrate to show excitement, and yell instructions to ensure the team is on the same page during each play.
• Opponents whisper negative comments or discouraging insults.
• Officials tell you the boundaries, violations, and best ways to avoid fouls and other wrong actions. 
• The crowd loudly shares their appreciation or distain for nearly every play – increasing the emotion of the environment. 

Through the different messengers and messages, volumes and tones, good listening requires you to be able to filter what you hear in order to find the most helpful information.

Life

The Messenger

In life, there are endless messengers trying to get our attention.

You can find information from books, videos, social media, podcasts, parents, pastors, teachers, friends – and the list goes on.

You must always know your sources of information.

Can you trust the messenger?

The Message

There is a lot of wasteful information out there.

It’s a good idea to have a person you trust evaluate what you learn: whether it’s good, or whether it’s something to be avoided.

• Good info -> helpful in growing in wisdom.
• Bad info -> harmful in crushing your potential.

You must be careful of messengers who turn you the wrong way with questionable or hurtful messages.

Just like with basketball, you need to have a strong filter to find the most helpful information. 

God’s words in the Bible are a good source of information.

Not only has history proven the Bible to be trustworthy, God sent His own Son (Jesus) as a personal messenger so that we might hear the message directly from Him!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

There are 58 verses in the Bible that refer to listening with the phrase, “those with ears to hear, let them hear.” 

One of the main messages God wanted everyone to hear is a message of love.

Jesus said in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Because Jesus lived, was crucified, rose again and transformed from death to life, we know He can transform us if we simply start listening to His words.