The Upward Hanover Basketball Challenger Division opened its 3rd season on Friday night, January 27th at Cool Spring Church. The place was packed and the atmosphere was exciting . . . electric . . . as described by the league director, Ed Berenson. One long term member of Cool Spring commented that this was the best thing that the church has ever done.

Everyone was into it and had a great time - from the players to the spectators to all of the volunteers that work to make the league happen. The beauty is that everyone is unified and focused on a common goal – to bring some joy into the lives of the Challenger Division children and their families, and to glorify God in the process.

And God was greatly glorified.

The Challenger Division is the love of Christ manifest. The love is contagious. I noticed several players who had been in the league in past years helping and loving on the newer players – generously giving them the ball and helping them shoot and dribble. They were actually serving as buddies to the newer players themselves. Much is learned in this league beyond basketball skills – and this education in extends beyond the players to the volunteers and spectators.

All are greatly blessed.

The Challenger Division theme for this year can be seen written on the volunteer’s t-shirts:

Courage
Faith
Respect

These apply to everyone.

Courage:
The Bible has much to say about courage. Variations of the phrase “be strong and courageous” are mentioned at least 12 times in the Bible. The Lord commanded that the Israelites “be strong and courageous” as they were about to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land in Joshua 1. But what about our daily struggles in life?

Paul encouraged the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 to, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” This applies to us today. It takes courage for a Challenger player to step on the court and shoot the ball for the first time. It takes courage for a Challenger buddy to step up and volunteer. The Bible says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) We are not alone as we strive to be courageous for the Lord.

Faith:
Faith that Jesus Christ is Lord is the cornerstone of Christianity. It is through faith that we believe that Jesus died for our sins so that through Him we will have eternal life. But faith can empower us in our lives today. For example, in Matthew 17:20, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” The miracles of Jesus often happened through faith. Jesus was not simply showing His great power, but He was showing the power that faith can have in people’s lives. We serve out of faith and love, “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

Respect:
All are equal in the eyes of Christ, and He died for each one of us individually so that each one of us might be saved. “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith . . . There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26, 28) In the Challenger Division, each individual is given equal respect and honor – from each player to the volunteers to the spectators. All are one in Christ.  Let this love and respect for one another carry through to our day to day lives, every day!