Observing the Rules
Today is race day at Sugar Creek Baptist Church. Awana Clubbers will gather together to race their pinewood derby cars. There will be trophies and ribbons awarded for the fastest cars and because of their unique or fun design. Race day will be capped off with some great refreshments.
In Awana Pinewood Derby Racing, there are rules. Rules are important so everyone competes fairly and equally. It seems almost everything we do has rules. Having rules is one thing. Enforcing those rules is another.
Several years ago, there was a college basketball coach by the name of John Wooden. Coach Wooden had a rule about the length of a basketball players hair. He was the coach. He made the rules. Long hair was clearly not allowed.
There was a very good basketball player on the team by the name of Bill. During the summer between Bill’s junior and senior year of college, Bill traveled throughout the country with his favorite rock and roll band. This band, like so many bands, were known for their long hair. Bill decided to let his hair grow.
When Bill showed up for basketball practice at the start of the new season, his hair was still very long. Bill knew the rule. However, Bill also knew he was a very good basketball player. He knew how valuable he was to the success of the basketball team. Bill convinced himself that Coach Wooden would allow him to keep his long hair.
On the first day of practice, Coach Wooden pointed to Bill’s hair. Bill admitted he knew the coaches’ rule but said he was planning on keeping his long hair because of Jesus.
Coach Wooden had only five words for Bill. “Bill, we will miss you.” Coach Wooden turned and walked away. What the coach was saying was – “Bill, we will miss you on the team this year. You know my rule. You will not be playing basketball on this team.”
Later that afternoon, Bill returned to basketball practice. Ready to practice. Ready to play on the team. Not only was his hair shorter his head was shaved.
Later that afternoon, Bill and the Coach had a chat. Coach Wooden said to Bill, “Bill what do you know about Jesus, since you referenced Him this morning?” Bill admitted he knew nothing about Jesus other than one of his buddies told him Jesus had long hair.
Coach Wooden took that opportunity to share Jesus with Bill. That was an afternoon Bill Walton would never forget. To this day, there is a special place in Bill Walton’s heart for Coach Wooden. One lesson Bill Walton learned from Coach Wooden was – "It's the things you learn after you know it all that count.” No matter how good we are, we still have to observe the rules. Let me know if you would ever like to have that chat.
