Practice? We’re Talking About Practice . . .

In a recent playoff game, the Celtics were far ahead of the Hawks, and Coach Doc Rivers began to substitute to rest his starters. As Kevin Garnett took his chair, he immediately turned to Greg Stiemsma seated next to him and began demonstrating something to the rookie center acquired by the Celtics in December of last year. Stiemsma appeared to listen very intently to the perennial all-star—and why not? Garnett has forgotten more than most players will ever learn about the game. What an opportunity to learn one’s position from one of the best who has ever played the game! The scene reminded me of something.

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Psalm 25:8-9 ESV

This week is the anniversary of the infamous “practice” rant by Allen Iverson. You must remember the interview, where the mercurial star complained about reports that his interest and investment in practicing with his team was far below the coach’s expectations. He seemed insulted by the notion that he needed practice. In his mind and words, there was nothing he was going to gain from the discipline of practicing with his teammates. In the contrast of the rookie center from Boston, and the all-star from (then) Philadelphia we see a valuable lesson. One listened intently, soaking up Garnett’s instruction like a sponge, the other, already “knew it all.” Which one is teachable?

Jesus confronted similar “players” in his day. The Pharisees, Sadducees, priests and scribes were the religious experts; what in the world did a carpenter’s son from Bethlehem have to teach them? They had years of rigorous debate and learning, Jesus had scars from saw cuts and splinters. Further, Jesus gathered around Himself all manner of lowly rabble—how could a religious man (a truly serious one, that is) behave the way Christ did?

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

In truth, only those who suspect they are sick or injured are willing to seek help in the first place. In other words, if someone denies the reality of a broken arm, they won’t waste time in a doctor’s waiting room. Of course denial rarely changes reality. The religious leaders of Christ’s time didn’t know how spiritually injured and ill they truly were. On the other hand, those who are willing to admit they are not doing well are more readily willing to seek out the Great Physician’s care.

Pride has a way of blinding us to our need. Pride has a way of quenching the desire to learn. A young inmate was interviewed for a television program about gangs and prison life. Already the father of three children he was asked about his hopes for his little ones. He replied that he would be proud if they chose to follow him into the gangs—even though he cheerfully admitted that gang life leads to “a casket or prison.” What? What kind of numbskull desires a casket or a prison cell for his children? His cell-mate (also a product of gang-life), by contrast, moved his family far from the influence and temptation of the gangs, and insists that his children achieve good grades so they can one day earn college scholarships. One inmate considers prison his “badge of honor,” the latter considers it a hard lesson and apt punishment, but also a sad waste of precious time—something he hopes the rest of his family will avoid.

Pride shortens our vision and fixes it on the temporal. Prides closes our ears to any voice but our own. In short, pride fills us with subjectivity, mistakes, missteps, wrong turns, and cultural “wisdom.” Humility, on the other hand, is the characteristic of hearts and minds that are intensely teachable, and readily redeemable. The humble are under no illusions about the value of their knowledge and experience, or the merits of conventional wisdom, but will instead seek the Words of Life from Lord and learn from Him.

We all have a lot to learn . . . realizing that is a pretty positive step! Praise God! He is always at work, revealing Himself, and teaching the right way!