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Basketball season is in high gear.

This week, state champions will be crowned in each classification, ending their season. It is also the start of the road to the Final Four to see who will be the College National Champions. Many players dream of one day playing for big money in the NBA, some having no other plans for life if their dream doesn’t materialize. How sad to think that many athletes will consider themselves failures because their basketball dream ended.

I am reminded of a story told by one of my favorite Christian writers and evangelists, Chuck Swindoll.

While growing up in Texas, he too had the dream of playing professional basketball. In Junior High, he made the Junior Varsity team and, according to him, was improving rapidly.

His dad worked at a machine shop and made him an iron hoop that he attached to the garage. He practiced every day with an old worn-out-rubber ball. He just knew that one day every college in America would be seeking his services on the basketball court.

His wish for the coming Christmas was to have one thing only – a new basketball. He began to drop hints to his mom about his desire to get a new basketball.

One evening before Christmas, he saw a box beneath the Christmas tree, correctly shaped to possibly hold a basketball.

Much to his surprise (and I’m sure disappointment) as he tore the wrapping off and opened the box, it wasn’t a basketball. It was a world globe.

That afternoon, he enjoyed locating geographical spots on the globe as his mother called out … Singapore, Montreal, New Zealand, Moscow, etc. What a thrill!

This was many years ago. Today, he still admits he likes basketball, but thanks God for his mother’s wisdom. As an ambassador for Christ, he is more excited about hope on the globe, instead of a passion for putting a ball through a hoop.

Chuck has been a force in the world, sharing about a Savior who came to save people from their sins.

If you have any question, or comments, please write to Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve. LA 70068 or call (985) 652-8477.