Thunder Up…..and Rise Up

This Oklahoma gal (for over 40 years) had her pom-poms ready Sunday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder faced off against the Indiana Pacers.

Oh, the drama and the ups and downs of basketball! One minute we were up, the next minute they were. But in the end? Thunder brought it home — 103 to 91. It was Thunder’s first championship!

It was a heart-thumper of a game. But what impressed me most wasn’t just the scoreboard. It was the youth — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a 26-year-old youngster — scored 29 points and dished 12 assists. Named MVP, he didn’t just soak in the spotlight. He shared it.

“This isn’t just a win for me,” he said. “This is a win for my family… my friends… everyone who was in my corner.”

Can we just pause and amen that? Because isn’t that exactly what we do, day after day? We may not be slam-dunking on national TV, but we show up — early, tired, faithful. We pray for our families. We love our neighbors. We choose to forgive, to bless, to smile even when the game of life gets tough.

This isn’t just about youth and championships. It’s about purpose. It’s about choosing not to sit in the stands but to play — even if we’re limping, creaky, or lacing up Velcro instead of Nikes.

Romans 8:37 says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

And Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

So no matter our age or stage, if we’re still breathing, were not done.

Let’s take it up a notch! Be encouragers. Be God-lovin’, people-liftin’, joy-spreading teammates. Because God’s glory team? It never loses.

I’ll say it again: I’m not giving up until I’m taken up. Let’s stay in the game. Thunder up. Kingdom strong. Victory ahead!

We may not wear jerseys, but we’re still in the game! Let’s rise up, love loud, and live like the champions we are in Christ. Don’t give up — show up!