James 1:2-4

It's the end of June, the NBA draft has wrapped up and NBA summer league is right around the corner. The NBA Summer league is a time when all NBA personnel are in one place. It's a great networking opportunity. I was asked on multiple occasions would I be attending summer league in Las Vegas. I personally do not like the strips of Vegas so I said prolly not. The only way I would go was if an NBA team paid for me to go. Well, that is exactly what happen. A team I had applied for a job for the upcoming season, asked if I would like to help out for summer league. I said yes. I was able to make a months salary in three weeks and then some. All while being at summer league and having the opportunity to not only catch up mentors and colleagues but also the chance to talk to teams about a job. However, that was secondary. I was primarily going with this team with the mindset that I would get offered a full time job. That was how it was originally presented to me. I quickly got the vibe that was not the case and I was only there because there was a need and I had experience. I was not going to be a part of this team. What was really challenging was going to team dinners and everyone is introducing themselves talking about their new roles and where to live and I was there like uh I won't be here. I'm human so I soaked in it for a day or two. But I was reminded of a quote from Inky Johnson. "True character reveals itself in time of adversity." It's easy to walk around smiling with great energy when things are sweet and going great. Do you have that same energy when things aren't going the way you want them to? It's all about perspective. The Bible says to consider it pure joy when you face trials. In other words shift the way you think, what you see, to know that the current situation is a test of your faith that will produce fruits.