Summoning Courage

Game 7… the 1970 NBA Finals… New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers tied 3-3 in the series. National Basketball Association regular season Most Valuable Player and Knicks center Willis Reed had a tear in his right thigh and sat out Game 6.

Not wanting to let himself or his team down, he came out to play Game 7. He did not offer much in stats (four points, three rebounds), but he pestered his opponent, Wilt Chamberlain, into some bad plays, and his courage in coming out with such an injury was more than enough to empower his team to win the game and the championship.

During Israel’s exile in Babylon, Esther was chosen to be queen. Haman, the king’s right-hand man, got the king to sign an edict that all Jewish people were to be slaughtered. That meant Queen Esther, too. Mordecai, her cousin, asked Esther to go to the king to plead on behalf of her people. Knowing that going to the King uninvited could mean death, Mordecai said, “Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14) Seeking courage from God, Esther appealed to the king and saved the Jewish people.

In sports, you will sometimes need to summon courage, like when playing against someone bigger or calling out your teammate for not working hard. God also calls us to times of bravery. Ask God to strengthen you in those moments and do what He says. If He calls you, He will see you through it.