Genesis 12:1-3 Holds Key To Winning On The Road
The Bible says, “Win on the road.” In so many words.
You’ve heard coaches and NBA analysts preach this, and it’s hardly ever been truer than in the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Winning on the road is a blessing.
As evidence, I offer Genesis 12:1-3, also known as The Call of Abram:
1 Now the Lord said to Abram:
Go from your country,
and your town,
and your father’s house
to the land that I will show you.2 And I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you,
and him who dishonors you I will curse,
and in you all the peoples of the earth shall be blessed.
Meditate on that for a moment or two, especially if you’re a basketball fan.
(By the way, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions alike regard Abram a.k.a. Abraham as the forefather of their peoples, and these religions are often called Abrahamic.)
Do you see that to be a blessing, Abram first had to leave home? Specifically, he had to leave his father’s house, in other words, his home court.
But did you notice the order of events in Genesis 12:1? Isn’t it backward? Don’t you have to leave your father’s house first, then your town, then your country? Don’t you leave your locker room first, then your arena, then your city, then your state?
Why is it backward? Was there a hidden meaning in this Biblical reversal? The answer is “Yes.”
First, just to explain, I hardly ever attend church, but I’m spiritual, and I’ve become much more interested in the Bible (and all Holy Scriptures) since I began to study and understand the science of how our minds can manifest reality.
I find that they’re all consistent, as do most people who bother to take an open look. There’s no doubt about the popularity of topics and books like The Law Of Attraction
Part of the reason for the success of this (not-so-new) “New Age” self-improvement genre is that many people have lost confidence in the traditional institutions we used to rely on for support, information, and empowerment: churches, corporations, governments, education systems, and the media.
Aren’t all of us always seeking better ways to examine ourselves, unravel our past conditioning, re-program what doesn’t work, find new inspiration, self-motivate, and make our thoughts, feelings, and actions lead to better results in life?
Aren’t the Pistons, Celtics, Lakers, and Spurs doing that in the 2008 NBA Conference Championships?
Aren’t you?
I know I am. It’s not always easy, is it?
It’s hard to unlearn some of the things we once thought were so true, that we picked up way back when, that we were forced to digest, that were passed down to us, but that no longer serve us. It’s hard to look in the mirror and to leave behind some of the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves to justify what we are … or what we aren’t.
It’s hard to leave our father’s house.
Isn’t it the hardest thing of all to do — letting go of outdated allegiances and beliefs and fears we cling to even when they no longer serve us? Even when they are holding us back? Don’t we often stay in our father’s house long after we’ve left our countries and our towns behind?
So, on that note, coming full circle, don’t NBA teams lose on the road because they forget they aren’t at home?
Doesn’t this give the cliche phrase “NOT IN OUR HOUSE!” a new meaning?
Back to Abram.
Which is to say, back to ourselves.
Does the Lord tell Abram exactly where to go? No, he’s just told to leave his country, his town, and his father’s house. He’s only promised that if he leaves, he’ll be a blessing and he will be brought to the land that the Lord will show him. He’s got to leave certain things behind and not feel guilty or afraid. It takes faith to leave our father’s house (literally and symbolically) without knowing where we’re going, doesn’t it? But the Lord has a trajectory waiting for each of us.
So then, isn’t it really about being a blessing? Isn’t it about being, along the way, rather than where exactly we’re going? The trajectory is the path, not the target. It’s about “how” not about “what.”
In basketball, and life, isn’t it about playing how you play no matter where you’re at? Isn’t it about fundamentals and effort and what’s inside you? Isn’t it about taking what works with you, and leaving behind what holds you back?
Isn’t this the key to winning on the road? Isn’t this the key to being a blessing? Isn’t being our destiny? Isn’t that leaving everything on the court? Isn’t that how we make history now?
(Many thanks to Joel Roberts, who inspired this post.)
It is truly evident that the doorway to spiritual realm and physical realm is action. The thought of knowing “Entering someone else’s house” is all spiritual in the literal sense. For those who have engaged in any activity of leaving home to perform its not an easy task, the art of performing “St. Elsewhere” LOL!!! is a journey within itself. The physical realm is the total act of acting or action, putting forth the effort to succeed on the road.
Greetings,
This post is so powerful, I had to read in doses.
I’m transformed and empowered.
Ar Lena
One thought to add to those already expressed …. the Genesis passage is bookended by a passage in Hebrews in which Paul recites the major events of Abraham’s life, starting with:
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob (his sons), who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to a city with foundations, whose architect is God.”
Paul cites many other early figures in Genesis and unites each story with the theme of faith, and what faith can accomplish.
He closes the section with an aptly athletic metaphor,
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverence the race maked out for us.”
Paul more than any other early Biblical author, loves athletic metaphors and uses them to great affect.
What we are urged to leave are any of those things that pull us down, keep us tied to an identity of ourselves that limits our abilities to conceive of new vistas and embark on journeys that may be fraught with danger and uncertainly but which also have extraordinary promise to thrust us into whole new realms of possibility and accomplishment. To do this, we must have faith, and we must act on that faith; and we often need to leave “our father’s house”.
To add to that list of must reads is a must see called “What the bleep” I will say no more, but will add that it is important to embellish our thoughts …in mind, in air, on paper, in song, while walking, or wherever a spirit will lend a hand or ear to down loading thought into existing as you dream the dream.
Basketball for me has always had a spiritual side to schooling the baller on life. We have discussions with God about what we want to defy in the game against all odds. Truth be told, We have been shooting at the rim all our life and many times miss the thought of shooting for goals in life….like….. Taking life to the hole when your down for a dunk, and relying on the “Bank shot” as money in the bank….. We could all use to shoot a bank shot to win as the situation comes to play instead of wasting time trying to impress the next homey’s mind with a forced highlite effort. Sometimes its just looks funny when the guy with the ball is trying to encourage the other guy on defense to take the ball as he swaps hands and legs by passing the ball between his legs. Its funny when we look at the temptations on the court. Pressing as the ball is being em-bounded, and picking up a man at half court for man to man defense has always assured me of an opportunity to come across a couple of lose balls for a easy layup. My defense style wakes me up in the morning to press life for opportunity……..
Thanks for the insight, Claude – you’re very much on point.
Let’s keep making the positive energy from the Scriptures and other documents of wisdom our own & keep moving forward.
basketball is as spiritual as any other act or activity of man. Winning in basketball as in life takes more than just a physical or skill advantage. It takes the proper alignment of skill, will, and destiny. Success is the byproduct of many factors. The goal in life is for a man or woman to do their absolute best and then let God take of the rest.
Roy … yeah man. Let’s see … basketball, religion, probably also love … maybe a couple of other pure expressions … often do get manipulated. Our thoughts too, sometimes ’cause we let ’em. But then what’s left? I think it’s back to our thoughts. Ain’t those the only things in this world we can truly control … ?
Yes Claude, it is big business….and as soon as “the loot” gets in there, things seems to change. It seems to me that the NBA and the NCAA are more concerned w/ their bottom line (and marketing to those that will affect that line) than respecting the game. In many ways, religion is being used in the same way. It’s a shame too, both, sports and religion, have the potential to be beautiful expressions of various cultures (thanks to the NBA we get to watch Manu, Tony P, Dirk, et al.) but often they are instead used to push an agenda.
Hey Roy, glad to hear from you!
Thank you for your insight about the Bible being whatever it is in the eye of the beholder. Basketball is that way too. People use it for different purposes and try to control it, but it’s bigger than any such effort.
This leads to your point about N.B.A. refs, and, for that matter, league big shots, changing or varying rules interpretations on traveling, fouls, flagrant fouls, uniform standards, off court attire, and the like. The league attempts to redefine and control the game for its own purposes, as does the N.C.A.A., and as do others.
Same with Holy Scriptures, I suppose.
But I’m not suggesting we agree with those changes or unravel what works. Some things from our father’s house are good! Probably most things in most cases! I’m only suggesting that those things that don’t work could be released or left behind.
We have to look at the results. If fans like you and me, and others, find N.B.A. or even N.C.A.A. games too hard to watch, we’ll turn off the screen or switch to something else, or stop buying tickets, or stop buying their merchandise. Or go watch our kids play. Or suggest improvements. Or create our own vision for the game through the way we coach. Or all of the above.
I know we’re talking about merely a game, but it’s also a big business, and, in this post, the topic is also about life. We have choices. We can create our own vision. That vision is our guide to what we would like to change to, whether it’s the game or the person or the world.
So, thanks, because you’re right on point, man.
Hi Claude,
I definitely feel u brother. Its a blessing to be able to see life for what it is. The Bible and Quran both provide a much deeper meaning than what is often read literally. It us up to us to find the meaning, and that is soul searching at its root. Let’s make history NOW!
An interesting comparison Claude. One thing that is fascinating about the Bible is it’s ability to be fluid, depending on the lens of the reader. I’m sure there would be many in the conservative ranks of religious beliefs that would be up in arms over comparing Abraham leaving his house and the struggles of the Celtics on the road…actually, I’d love to hear that “discussion.”
I appreciate how you challenge the reader to look deeper at our belief systems, especially those that may be outdated. But there is something to be said about going “back to the basics.” For example, it’s hard for me to watch basketball when a hard foul is suddenly a flagrant foul. I also find myself wondering…”do NBA ref’s know what a travel is anymore?” In this desire to “unravel our past conditioning” do we consider the potential cost?
This is not to say that I don’t agree w/ you, just pointing out that often in the desire to change we don’t look beyond and consider what we would like to change to.
MCBias, an honor! I appreciate you, man. Was wondering if someone would get the humor and irony.
Great point on the dead end of solitary exploration alone. But, I’m not suggesting that. Because as those “new” metaphysical genres emphasize, we’re all connected. We’re all part of the whole. Our thoughts affect others. Our thoughts, through our subconscious, connect to the Universe. This is why it’s so important to mind what’s going on in one’s minds. Thoughts become things. What we focus on expands. I write about this in “If There Ain’t No Beauty You Gotta Make Some Beauty (Have Mercy, Listen To Me Now!)” and elsewhere. That’s why I’d rather attend a Pro-Peace Rally than an Anti-War Rally. This is why the “War On Terror” has caused more terror. This approach is exactly consistent with what the Bible commands. So, I see these ideas and approaches converging towards the same thing … a better world. We as one.
Some people are now suggesting that our great prophets were also master metaphysicians. This is seemingly evident in the pure wisdom of their teachings.
So, in addition to my traditional views of the Holy Scriptures, I don’t limit my fellowship to church. It’s also possible to enlist others, and create new realities, through what we focus on in our thoughts. Or what we blog about, Amen!
Thank you for aligning that so perfectly to the team analogy I was trying to make. Individuals can’t and never will get N.B.A. Championship rings.
[…] « Genesis 12:1-3 Holds Key To Winning On The Road 30 05 2008 […]
Bible verses on a sports blog, I love it. Here’s another thought for you: when Abraham left his father’s house, he did not leave it alone. He took his wife and possessions with him. The problem is, when many teams play on the road, they leave their father’s house alone. They exchange the admittedly suboptimal traditions of their father’s house for individual chaos rather than forging a new form of group unity. The reason I still cling to a form of organized religion over the self-improvement genre is in the end, the self-improvement genre leaves one alone, worshipping themselves. Although organized religion has many flaws, if there are enough united people willing to think, the end result is much better than what I would gain by merely exploring my inner self alone. And similarly, most NBA teams will not become better on the road if each player turns to individualized expression of their game rather than a new form of team unity.
always you give me another outlook on mutual things with regards to sports and life as we live i hope more people will read and understand what’s going on..
Oh! I thought you meant the other Genesis. You know, Phil Collins, Tony Banks, those guys. I am reminded of the Musical Box, in which Peter Gabriel crooned, “I’ve been waiting here so long/And all this time has passed me by/It doesn’t seem to matter now.” Clearly, a reflection on the lengthy struggles of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett on their way to the Promised Land.”