THE ALLEY-OOP OF THE YEAR!

Picture in your mind that the time clock is running down at a basketball game. The team’s captain passes the ball to one of the veterans on the team and shouts “Shoot your shot!” The player is unsure momentarily, although the player is a proven shooter. Being unsure and with time running out, the veteran player passed the ball to another team member and proceeds toward the basket. The player who now has the ball throws an alley-oop pass back to the veteran. The veteran throws it down! I mean the player slam dunks the ball with powerful authority. Did you picture all that in your mind? Well, I am not writing about high-flying hoops, but rather I’m just getting you ready to hear about some highly faithful church folks who did something quite similar this past Sunday.

They don’t have a formal team name, but I will call them “The Saints.” Here is what happened on Mother’s Day during morning service were we simultaneously celebrated Women’s Day. The Pastor greeted the congregation and visitors in attendance, announced the birthdays, wished all the mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures a Happy Mother’s Day, and then he informed those sitting in the pews that he was passing the microphone over to Deaconess D who would read a scripture and lead the church in prayer. Deaconess D. had already started walking to the podium because, just like in the basketball analogy, time was of the essence. A veteran “Saint,” was on the move, but she was caught off guard by the “team’s” leader, the Pastor. (FYI: Jesus is the captain.) As she takes the microphone, knowing she was just assigned in advance the task of giving an invocation, being honest, she says that she had not planned a scripture. Here is where “The Alley-Oop of the Year” takes place. No sooner than Deaconess D completed here statement, Dr. G, sitting in the choir stand with the Women’s Day Choir, shouts out “Psalm 23!” You should note that Dr. G. could have not cared at all. But her caring moved her and filled with compassion, she throws the “alley-oop.” Immediately, with authority, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, Sis. D. slams the “alley-oop” home, reciting Psalm 23 from memory, with emotion, personal reflection, and conviction. The play was spectacular and the crowd shouted in excitement as she recited the Psalm not only by heart, but with a communication style that was heartfelt by many. Then, after getting her breath, Deaconess D added the bonus by giving a perfect invocation for Women’s Day.

I’ll never forget “The Alley-Oop Of The Year!” But enough about my remembering, let’s influence you to do some reacting. You see, there are some lessons here for you! (1) Teamwork in the church counts! (2) Be ready to help one of your fellow “Saints;” ready to give just the right scriptural reference that fits the occasion. There is one more lesson. (3) You miss out on some uplifting moments when you miss church, forsaking the assembly of the saints.

This HAS NOT been your Sunday Share meditation. I will write that one tomorrow and you can learn about “Broken Pieces Made Whole.”  Have a great day! Love you! Let’s go team! Be blessed!

“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:4 NLT)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King