The Spurs and the Spies

It's that time of year where football, basketball and baseball all converge in the sports' world.  So cool to see the Cubs in the World Series. Finally. Can't be happier to see the Cowboys have a winning record. Finally.  And then, of course, we are enjoying the Spurs back in action. Finally.

Last week, the Spurs quietly boarded a plane and headed to northern California to play the dreaded Golden State Warriors.  To be honest, I didn't think it would be a great night. It's those NEW Warriors, you know, the ones that added Kevin Durant along with rest of the sharp shooters. The Warriors came into this new season as the favorites to win the championship.  The Spurs totally blew them away 129-100. Sweet.

Manu Giinobili said "If there was an outcome I wasn't expecting, it was this one.  A 29-point lead against a team like them? I truly didn't expect it."  I didn't either. Pleasantly surprised. I started thinking about Moses sending out 12 spies to Canaan in Numbers 13-14 of the Bible. Moses told the spies to check out the area, see what the land is like and whether the people are weak or strong. So, the spies did a thorough investigation. 40 days later, they were done with their exploration and gave a report to Moses. The spies reported that it was a land flowing with milk and honey, but the people were strong and the cities have walls and were very large. When Caleb challenged them to take possession of the land, the spies freaked out. They shouted out "We can't attack these people; they are too strong for us. All of them are super tall!"

I would like to have the optimism and faith that Moses and Caleb had in this story! They saw the potential for victory, not defeat. They believed in God, themselves and their fellow co-workers. Their mindset? Let's do this!The spies, on the other hand, were full of doubt in their abilities. Between their grumbling and complaining, they only saw the problems before them, not the possibilities. They didn't believe God would see them through their ordeal. Their mindset? Let's not do this! 

Not only do our Spurs need the reminder from Caleb and Moses, but we do too. What "giants" keep you from believing you can do something? Where have you limited your own potential by forgetting God's ability?  Where has fear kept you paralyzed? As you start this new day, consider the power of God when facing our obstacles. With God, all things are possible.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.