God's Coaching #284

God's Coaching #284

Have you ever played “knockout” with a basketball? No, that’s not when you throw a basketball to a teammate who’s not looking. That would be dangerous. In the game knockout, basketballs are given to the first two people in a long line. The first person attempts to shoot and make a free throw. If the first person misses and the second person sinks a shot before the first person makes a basket, the first person is out. No more playing for player No. 1. Vamos. You’re outta here! If the first person makes the shot, he or she gives the ball to the next person in line. The game continues until there’s only one player left. That person is the winner.

On this day in 2010, a group of students from George Washington University set a Guinness World Record for the largest game of knockout. The spirit program at George Washington University organized the 167 participants who showed up at the Smith Center to make history.

What’s the Score?

Freshman Drew Manville won the competition, which also included members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams at George Washington. Drew had hoped to just break into the Top 50, but his hot hand led him to victory.

The game knockout is known by many other monikers. Perhaps you’ve heard it called gotcha, killer, fireball, or lightning. No matter what you call it, the idea of knockout is to eliminate your opponent from the game. There is no second chance or forgiveness.

That’s the exact opposite of the Christian life. When Jesus walked the earth, he and his disciples got into a conversation about forgiveness. Peter asked, “How often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” (Matthew 18:21). Peter probably thought he was being generous in forgiving seven times. But Jesus said he should offer forgiveness 490 times—a limitless amount of forgiveness. We can never be “knocked out” of God’s favor. When we pray and genuinely ask for forgiveness, God gives it to us. We need to have the same attitude toward people in our lives.

On the Ball

Can you think of somebody you’ve “knocked out” of your life? Does God want you to forgive that person? If you have the chance, find that person and tell him or her that you forgive.

Coach’s Comment

Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21-22