The amazing thing to me when I really started thinking about this statement is that what that coach told his team is exactly what Jesus tells each one of us: “Go out there. Play game. Have fun. Do your best, and I’ll win it for you.”

We think it’s all on us—that we have to get everything right, do everything perfectly, or our “win” will never materialize. In fact, we get sucked into this mentality that Heaven may be just out of our reach no matter what we do. However, I think reality is that Jesus is coach standing on sideline having full faith that we can do everything He’s trained us to do. We can love just like He’s shown us. We can give; we can live—not because we can do it on our own but because He’s right there, and He has faith that we have been given everything we need to win through Him.

I’m sure you know end of story. When buzzer sounded, team who had just gone out, had fun, and done their best was victorious.

One day final buzzer of your life will sound, and question at that moment will be this: Did you allow Jesus to be your coach? Did you have faith that He would win game for you—or are you still trying to win it yourself? It’s a question worth contemplating.

Giving time and effort to assist others to be successful shows capacity for sincerity.

Being curious about life, its people and its mysteries, shows capacity for learning.

Praying for welfare of family, friends, and all of humanity shows capacity for love.

Waiting for God's answer to a prayer shows capacity for faith and patience.

Accepting answer to a prayer, whatever it might be, discovering its blessings, and then moving on shows capacity for gratitude.

Believing in a God-given purpose throughout long and difficult seasons of scarcity shows capacity for determination and hope.

Taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from all experiences show capacity for being human.

Getting up after having fallen down or suffered failure shows capacity for resolve.

Persisting resolutely to navigate life's rapids, scale its mountains, move beyond its perceived limitations, and arrive at its finish line with faith and dignity shows capacity for achievement.

When we use our mental and spiritual capacities, our lives will be filled with more love, contentment, and achievement than we can imagine. When we cultivate a deep faith in a Power greater than ourselves, we never have to travel life's journey alone. There will be powerful sources of wisdom and guidance walking with us every step of way.