May 1: LEAVING IT ALL ON THE COURT

The National Basketball Association season has entered the Playoffs. Highly paid professionals are competing. One favorite cliché you are sure to hear used to describe the eventual winner is “they are willing to leave it all on the court every night”. The winner will hold nothing back for another day and they will be playing as if there is no tomorrow, therefore, leaving it all on the court. Did you see the picture of a player weeping after his team had been eliminated? It was said that he was one of those who “left it all on the court” every game. You must finish every game in a state of exhaustion and a clear conscience that you have given your absolute best.
Actually, we Christians ought to be able to go to bed nightly with a clear conscience that the day has been lived at the highest level of dedication. Jesus lived like that. “Having loved His own, He loved them to the end.” (John 13:1 KJV)He never cut them short a single day, not even the last day. John 19:30 has His last words “It is finished!”.
Total giving! Paul learned this from Jesus “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) Paul left it all on the court. Martyrs always do. Deep-seated faith has often been rejected. But what a contrast to contemporary Christians who want to receive large benefits from faith but are willing to invest so little of themselves.
The church was not carried to her prominent place in history by people willing to give little of themselves in Christian service. Nor was it carried by cheerleaders hopping on the bandwagon of popular religion. It was carried by Christ-like “quiet fanatics” who loved the Gospel more than life itself and showed a “leaving it all on the court” commitment.

“Patient Father, surely we must hurt You when we show so little of
a spirit of total devotion to You. Give us desire! Give us courage! Amen”