Sign up for The Good Stuff

Our weekly newsletter filled with news, updates, and inspiring stories of how God is working in the Bay Area.

"*" indicates required fields

Sign up for The Good Stuff

Our weekly newsletter filled with news, updates, and inspiring stories of how God is working in the Bay Area.

"*" indicates required fields

As of this moment, the Warriors are two games away from becoming the greatest basketball team in the history of basketball. They’ve crossed off everything on the checklist: unbeatable record? Check (73-9). Transcendent superstar? Check (Stephen Curry). Season defining game? Check (Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals). Watching a team change what we know about basketball is something to behold.

Their example of team play transcends sports and can be applied to each of our lives. With that in mind, here are three things I’ve learned from watching the Warriors historic run.

Unity

24 …But God designed the body in such a way that greater significance is given to the seemingly insignificant part. 25 That way there should be no division in the body; instead, all the parts mutually depend on and care for one another. 26 If one part is suffering, then all the members suffer alongside it. If one member is honored, then all the members celebrate alongside it.
1 Corinthians 12:24-26 (VOICE)

Life is hard, and just like a grueling NBA Season, there are ups and downs. We go through rough patches and we succeed. We should be there for each other in times of suffering, and be overjoyed for each other in victory. When Klay Thompson is having a hot night Stephen Curry is the happiest guy in the gym.

These guys don’t care about how many points they have or who gets enough touches or shots. They genuinely celebrate for one another when things are going well. Who are you close to that you rise and fall with?

Trust

5 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Proverbs 3:5 (MSG)

Steve Kerr brought this to the Warriors the moments he was hired. His most iconic moment was taking the final shot in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals. Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, passed him the ball and entrusted the fate of the game and the series in his hands. MJ was used to taking final shots. He didn’t trust anyone but himself to decide a game. It was in that moment that Kerr learned that even the greatest of athletes are able to trust someone else.

How much do you trust others around you? Do you live a life that is trustworthy? Trust is something we have to talk through with God when we pray. Decide to pray to trust God and others.

Everyone’s Important

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be?
1 Corinthians 12:15-19 (ESV)

Game 1 of the NBA Finals Steph and Klay were hurting. With a mere 10-points between the two of them by halftime, it looked in that moment like the series opener was doing to be a dud. But the rest of the team stepped up! Seven players scored 10+ points. Led by Shaun Livingston (20 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast), the Warriors overcame a cold shooting night of their stars to win Game 1. Their team showed they don’t live or die by Steph and Klay. They play as a team, one that picks each other up when they’re down.

Do you value everyone’s role in your family? Household? Company? Classroom? The people around us are important to our lives, God has them there for a reason. We can look down upon or not value those God has surrounded us with. Start valuing every member like God does. See their strengths, pray for their gifts to shine. Everyone has a role and if they play it, victory awaits.

Written by

Nathan Schaffernoth

Nathan is a San Francisco State University Alum and video producer and editor for the Bay Area Christian Church.