Last night, the Warriors went on an 11-0 run to close out the game and win 118-113 in Cleveland. It was a really hard fought game, with the Cavs finally in position to get a win in this series, but the Warriors once again proved how dominant they are.

They became the first team in the four major pro sports leagues to go 15-0 in the postseason. Although they still need one more win to for the championship, it’s clear we’re witnessing something extremely rare and special with this team.

I think many of us figured this would be a close series and we’d see Cleveland put up more of a fight. However, each game has confirmed just how remarkable the Warriors are and that they are playing on another level.

Despite the TV ratings being through the roof, many NBA fans don’t like seeing the Warriors play so much better than the rest of the league. It’s hard to embrace the greatness and dominance of the Warriors, and the fact they’ve set themselves apart from even a team like the Cavs.

As an NBA fan myself, I love a 7-game series and games that come down to a final shot. I’m fine with parity across the league and the unpredictability of wondering who is going to win.

I’ve enjoyed watching the Warriors play, but it does make sense why so many support parity over dominance and balance over greatness. However, when this kind of mentality infiltrates our faith journeys, I think we miss out on the life God is calling us to.

Unfortunately, I think too many people who claim to love God don’t actually want to pursue holiness – they’d rather settle for “parity.” Despite God encouraging us to be set apart from the world, while calling us to be more like Him, we trade in greatness for mediocrity.

As true followers of Jesus we should stand out, and our lives should operate much differently than the world we’re up against. We should strive for excellence, holiness, and Christ-likeness…and not buy the lie that we should be just like everyone else.

The Bible is clear that we are to be set apart and have entered a new life that causes us to stand out above the rest.

1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV) gives this command: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT) tells us, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.”

Today, as many are disappointed that the Warriors are just too good for the Cavs, let’s remember that this mentality doesn’t apply to our life in Jesus. Let’s desire true greatness for the glory of God and for the light of Christ to shine through us.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that I would have a passion for pursuing holiness. I thank you for Your grace, as I desire to obey You with all of my heart. I pray my life would be great in order to reveal Your glory, and I pray my life would point others to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.