The Sweet 16 begins tonight and with most of the top-ranked teams still alive, we should be in for a competitive weekend of basketball.
Although most of us are familiar with the coaches and know the schools still playing, it’s hard to have a strong bond with many of the best players because they’re only freshmen.
Grant Hill was explaining the other day that we don't connect with the “one and done” players very well because we don’t spend enough time watching them. With the way college basketball is set up today, they aren’t in school long enough for us to develop a strong bond or deep-rooting interest.
As fans, we become more invested, passionate, and attached as we watch the players who stick around for three or four seasons. The fan-player relationship builds each year when we get to know the player and experience him on the floor for more than “one and done.”
Of course, we are enjoying this year’s freshmen class led by Zion Williamson, but it’s not the same as watching a senior who we’ve cheered for and connected with throughout their college career.
Simply put, quality time is required to build relationships. Beyond a superficial fan-player bond, this is true when it comes to friendships, marriages, and God. The more quality time we spend with someone, the better we get to know them and the stronger the connection becomes.
Unfortunately, with our fast-paced lives and living in a “one and done” culture, we’re always on to the next thing. It’s hard to stick around long enough to be really invested and attached to one another in meaningful ways.
We may have a “one and done” date night with our spouse, but then are we intentional in getting to know what's really going on with them the rest of the week?
The “one and done” mentality affects our relationship with God, as well, because we may give Him one hour a week at church, but then that’s it...we’re done. We may pray once a day or read the Bible once a week, but we know it takes more time than that to build a deep connection.
If we truly want to know God and develop a strong bond, we have to stick around long enough to spend time with Him in prayer and reading His word.
Matthew 6:6 (NLT) says, "But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
We should then be empowered to walk out of our homes each day with the desire to “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11; ESV)!
2 Peter 3:18 (AMP) provides this important challenge: “...but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…”
Today, if we feel disconnected from God or distant from our spouse or lonely due to a lack of friends, let’s get back on track to be intentional with our time. Truly knowing someone fully requires more than being “one and done.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to know You more and pray I'd prioritize the time I spend with You each day. Help me to seek Your presence continually, wherever I am. I also ask for deeper relationships with others, and that You’d show me how to make time for them. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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