Curry Makes the Hall of Fame

For the first time in the organization's history, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will feature an exhibit dedicated to an active player when "Stephen Curry: Beyond the Arc" opens this Friday.

Throughout the Hall of Fame's 75-year history, the organization has almost always waited until a player is inducted before creating a display in their honor. Since players are not eligible for induction until they have been retired for a full five years, all displays to date have featured a player who has since stopped playing at the professional level.

Speaking on the Hall of Fame's unprecedented decision to honor Curry, President and CEO John Doleva stated, "Stephen has not only redefined how the game of basketball is played, but he has also set a blueprint for what it means to be an exemplary role model. This is truly a historic moment for us and for basketball fans worldwide."

Though the timing of honoring Curry with an exhibit at the Hall of Fame may be a little surprising, the fact that he is being honored by the organization is not. They clearly appreciate the impact he’s had on basketball.

Curry is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the history of the game and is widely considered the greatest shooter the sport has ever seen. He has also been regarded as one of the major influences on the modern emphasis that NBA offenses place on outside shooting. 

Since Curry is an unquestioned first-ballot Hall of Famer whenever he is eligible for induction, it makes sense that the Hall of Fame would be interested in honoring him and acknowledging his contributions to the game while he is still in uniform and performing at a high level.

As followers of Jesus, we need to recognize how beneficial and appropriate it is to honor others for their God-given gifts and contributions to the Kingdom, which are achieved by His grace.

While it may not receive the attention of some other spiritual gifts, the gift of encouragement is listed among them in Romans 12: "If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging" (Romans 12:8; NLT).

We must remember that Scripture teaches that God gives us spiritual gifts to build up the corporate body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7). Therefore, one way God builds up His people is through encouragement. 

In Ephesians 4:29 (ESV), we are commanded, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

One way we can succeed in "building up" is by encouraging people as we point out God's grace in their lives. As we highlight the work that God has done in and through them, we hope they will be encouraged to excel even more in stewarding their gifts well for His glory.

Too often, we wait until it’s too late to express our appreciation to someone or acknowledge their contributions to our spiritual lives, but we don’t have to “wait five years after they retire”!

It should be our goal to emulate the example set by the Apostle Paul, who made it a habit to commend the recipients of his letters and to highlight the areas in which they excelled in the faith.

Even in his letter to the church in Corinth, which was filled with correction and rebuke, Paul made sure to tell the people of the church that he was thankful for the gifts that God had given them.

1 Corinthians 1:4-7 (NIV) says, "I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed."

Today, let's make sure we are quick to show appreciation and gratitude to our fellow believers. May God use the encouragement that we provide through our words to further build up the body for works of service that bring Him glory.

I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the many ways that You have equipped the body of Christ and for surrounding me with people who use their gifts to strengthen my faith. Please help me recognize and show appreciation for others, so that they might be encouraged to excel even more in serving You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.