Getting in “Championship Shape”

When the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a blockbuster trade to land superstar point guard Luka Doncic in early February, the hope was that the addition of one of the league's most talented young superstars would propel the team over the top to contend for a championship in 2025.

As such, the Lakers' recent removal in just five games in the first round of the playoffs has left a significantly bitter taste in the mouths of those within the organization.

Although Los Angeles had significant firepower at the top of its roster with Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, the team ultimately had too many glaring weaknesses to make a deep run in the postseason.

Commenting on his team's disappointing performance and what he hopes to do in the offseason to set the Lakers up for success next season, head coach J.J. Redick remarked, "I'll start with the offseason and the work that's required in an offseason to be in championship shape. And we have a ways to go as a roster. And certainly, there are individuals that were in phenomenal shape. There's certainly other ones that could have been in better shape. That's where my mind goes immediately, is we have to get in championship shape."

In sports, teams cannot achieve significant success without putting in the work to prepare in advance. You can't simply attempt to "flip the switch" when it matters most…you must diligently prepare ahead of time to put yourself in a position to succeed.

The same principle rings true in our lives as well.

As followers of Jesus, we desire to experience the most tremendous success possible in our lives of faith. Of course, we recognize that success as a Christian is not defined by finances, possessions, status, or achievement but is determined by our faithfulness to God and His Word.

But just like professional athletes, we can't expect to succeed when the moments of testing come if we haven't prepared ahead of time. It is up to us to get into "championship shape."

In a passage discussing spiritual warfare, the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6:11-13 (ESV), "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."

Paul clearly states that Christians should not wait until the battle begins to prepare for the fight. Instead, we are called to have already put on the armor of God so that we will be ready in advance.

Although it should be our aim and desire to obey the Lord and resist temptation no matter the circumstances, we must acknowledge that it is much easier to experience success in our battle against sin if we have prepared in advance by reading the Bible, meditating upon biblical truth, praying, and engaging in regular fellowship with other believers.

Since we don't know when temptation or trials might occur, we can best stay prepared and get ourselves into "championship shape."

A similar idea is expressed in 1 Peter 13:15 (NASB) when it comes to how we respond to people who might ask us about our faith: "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect."

We are not called to simply hope that we can devise a good defense for our faith. Rather, we have been instructed to be ready ahead of time.

Today, let’s recognize that if we want to experience biblical success as believers, it starts with putting in the prep work and getting into "championship shape."

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to be disciplined and consistent so that I can be prepared to obey and demonstrate faithfulness at all times. Thank you for giving me everything I need to live a life that is pleasing to You. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.