The NBA Playoffs are in full swing. I’m mildly interested in the games as it still hurts that our team was taken away from us here in Seattle.
You don’t have to know basketball very well to understand the value of a rebound. It’s value it’s really quite simple.
A rebound while your team is on defense gives your team a chance to go to the other end of the court and score more points. It represents a new possession.
An offensive rebound (a rebound gained while your team is on offense) offers a fresh shot clock, and yet more opportunity to score.
Your missed shot attempt is forgotten and all you have to do is focus on the next one.
Rebounds are wonderful. They represent second chances. They help win games. Rebounds win championships.
Idea of rebounding is found in the Bible as well.
The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24.16)
Paul writes about how God wants to use imperfect people to change the world. God uses people who have missed shots; people who rebound.
I love this verse in 1 Corinthians chapter one where Paul writes, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are.”
Don’t believe me? Take a look at this list of people throughout scripture who were excellent rebounders:
Abraham – Liar, Elderly & Sterile…
…Father of Nations
Jacob – Thief, Liar & Deceiver…
…Father of the 12 Tribes of Israel
Moses – Murderer & Stutterer…
…Led the God’s people out of slavery
Rahab – Prostitute…
…Helped Israelite spies escape Jericho
Sampson – Covenant breaker…
…Hero God used to save Israel
Gideon – Coward, least in his family…
…Hero who once again saves Israel
David – Scrawny musician, youngest brother…
…Became Israel’s King
David (Part 2) – Adulterer, Assassin & Conspirator…
…A man after God’s own heart?
Solomon – Love child (conceived in affair)…
…Built God’s Temple
Israel’s Kings – Each one virtually worse than the previous…
…Placed in authority by God
Prophets – Cooked food using dung for fuel, married prostitute, lying around naked…
…Chosen to Speak for God
Mary – Unwed Teen Pregnancy…
…Gave birth to the Savior of all mankind
John the Baptist – Locust eater w/ no fashion sense…
…Prepared the way for Jesus & baptized Him
Jesus – Plain looking, unassuming homeless man…
…Savior and Lord of All
Disciples – uneducated fishermen, crooked tax collectors, anarchist, dishonest, stiff necked & unbelieving…
…Chosen by Jesus to change the world
Peter – Quick tempered, potty-mouthed, Christ denying no good…
…Cornerstone for the NT church
Paul – Working to arrest all Christ followers in his path…
…Author of most of the NT, Evangelist, Church Planter
And the list could go on.
Have you missed a shot or two in your lifetime?
No problem, go for the rebound.