Pick n' Roll and Romans 5:3-4

Growing up going to basketball camps and learning the fundamentals of the game one of the first plays that I learned was called the pick n' roll. At all levels of basketball the pick n' roll is used. Most noticeably the pick n' roll is used in the NBA. The pick n' roll is one of the simplest plays in all of basketball, but when done correctly, one of the most difficult to defend. John Stockton and the "Mailman" Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz are said to be the masters of this play. As I was watching Lebron James of the Cavs and Paul Pierce of the Celtics battle it out today in game 7 of the playoffs I realized what the pick n' roll accomplished. The pick n' roll when used by both these players started a process within the offensive set that their respective team was running. Mismatches were created. Open shots were created as the ball was reversed. Dunks and lob opportunities were gained as the defense was slow at times to adjust to the quickness and precision that the offense had when running this simple play. Ultimately the pick n' roll started this process and when worked through unitl completion produced positive results in made baskets and scoring chances.

As I thought about the Sunday morning sermon that I heard on trials, tribulations, and suffering I couldn't help but think about how these things started a process that in the end produces hope.
Suffering, trials, and tribulations start a process that produces endurance(Romans 5: 3-4). Endurance produces character, and character produces hope. How willing are we to allow this process to start correctly - For God to have His Sovereign way and throw the kitchen sink our way if it's His will - in the end to produce endurance, character, and hope? Are we even willing to allow that process to start correctly as we respond to suffering? My prayer is that we will be obedient in our response as we worship God in praise for His timing, His will, anad His Divine plan that He has for you and I.