Be
Prepared
Be very careful,
then, how you live…making the most of every opportunity…
Ephesians 5:15
Jason McElwain recently showed the
world how to make the most of an opportunity.
Born with autism, this manager of the
Greece-Athena High School basketball team in Rochester, NY, had
tended the needs of the team for the past three years; encouraging
them, and mopping up their sweat. Because of his commitment, Coach
Jim Johnson decided to let Jason suit up, and sit the bench for the
last game of the season. As it turned out Jason did much more.
With four minutes left on the clock,
Coach Johnson stood and pointed at Jason, “You’re in McElwain!”
The crowd showed their appreciation for the gesture with loud
applause and shouting. Little did they know that they were in for an
extraordinary experience that would have the roof and walls of the
gymnasium shaking before it was over.
As the game resumed Jason’s teammates
fed him the ball, wanting him to make at least one basket before time
ran out. His first two shots were air-balls. But the third, from
three-point range, touched nothing but net! Jason had scored! But he
wasn’t satisfied. As a matter of fact, he was just getting started.
In those final four minutes Jason
caught fire, “As hot as a pistol!” he would later tell reporters,
and managed to hit six three-point shots in a row, scoring a total of
twenty points! His last basket, right at the buzzer, created total
mayhem, emptying the bleachers, as fans and teammates alike thronged
around Jason to celebrate his achievement.
†
When interviewed after the game Jason
said, “Being autistic, I’m used to feeling different. But never
this different…never this wonderful!”
Achieving success has to do with
fostering an indomitable spirit, and making the most of every
opportunity we are given.
Had Jason given up after his first two
shots he might have settled for just being in the game. But his
intention was to give everything he had, to make this opportunity
everything it could be. He refused to be defined by the shots he
missed and kept giving his all. And what he accomplished was a feat
beyond everyone’s wildest dreams.
‘Awesome’ usually happens at the
point where preparation and perseverance meets opportunity.
Prayer
“Lord, may my heart
aspire to make the most of every opportunity and achieve my utmost
for His Highest. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
No comments:
Post a Comment