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Writer's pictureBryce Johnson

Lessons from the Three Point Shot

Villanova and Michigan face off tonight in the National Championship game after impressive wins during the Final Four.

Loyola was leading for awhile, but Michigan flipped a switch and dominated down the stretch to pull away 69-57.

Villanova, on the other hand, never gave Kansas a chance as they hit shot after shot from the 3-point line to cruise 95-79.

Setting a Final Four record for three-pointers made, Villanova hit 18 by multiple players getting hot from beyond the arc.

USA Today has an intriguing article titled “Villanova's Shooting Display in Final Four is a Lesson for Everyone.” The article shares different player's advice on shooting threes, and these principles can actually inspire us in our life and faith today.

Guard, Phil Booth, hit two of the team’s threes and explains how a player has to “Have confidence in your shot, always.”

We can similarly approach life by having confidence in God, always:“So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my Helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:6 - NLT).

Freshman Collin Gillespie, who knocked one down from deep, describes the key to the three like this: “It all starts with your feet. You gotta meet the pass, put your eyes on the rim. Make sure you’re square to the basket.”

As we desire to follow Jesus, we must put our eyes on Him and square ourselves up toward Him so that our feet go in the right direction. 1 John 2:6 (ESV) tells us, "Whoever says He abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.”

Villanova’s best player, Jalen Brunson, hit three threes against Kansas and his advice is simply, “Be a gym rat.” In other words, players must spend time practicing, be around the game, and always be playing.

Likewise, we want to be constantly growing in our faith, spending time with God, and practicing what we’ve been taught. Philippians 4:9 (AMP) says, "The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in Me, practice these things , and the God of peace and well-being will be with you.”

Omari Spellman contributed three threes and gives these words of wisdom: “Be open to coaching and critiques of your own shot.”

In the same way, we need to practice what the Bible tells us in Proverbs 1:5 (NIV): "...let the wise listen and add to their learning,and let the discerning get guidance.”

Finally, Donte DiVincenzo matched his teammates with three makes from long distance and explained the importance to “Work on good technique — follow through, off your (index) finger.”

Not only does follow through help get the ball through the net but is crucial for what we say and do. 1 John 1:6-7 (NIV) give us this challenge: "If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

Tonight as we watch Villanova play against Michigan’s tough defense, let’s be reminded how the principles of the "three" translate to our own lives. Let's set our feet...shoot with confidence...follow through...listen to advice...and remain a “gym rat” - all for God's glory!

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that I’d allow Your Word to guide my steps and help me to rely on the wisdom found in Scripture. I know You are the source of confidence, peace, and joy. I pray that I’d follow Your ways and bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

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