what can we learn from the Miami Heat?

You might be a professional basketball fan, and you might not be.  Chances are, either way, you heard something about the Miami Heat in the past year.

And for good reason: they really made it a point to put themselves in front of you.

It began in the offseason last summer, when LeBron James, the most sought-after free agent, transformed his choice to jump from his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat into a nationally televised "Decision:"

Also in the offseason, the Miami Heat added another prized free agent player from Toronto, Chris Bosh.  They already had on their roster one of the league's elite players in guard Dwayne Wade.  So, with James, Wade, and Bosh all wearing a Heat jersey headed into the 2010-2011 season, they were the heavy favorites to win the championship.

In fact, according to James, they were the heavy favorites to win several championships.  In case you missed it, the Heat put on a Cirque du Soliel-level production (again, before the season even started) in which James made his bold prediction:

Fast forward to last night.

The Heat did play well enough to earn a spot in the NBA Finals. Their opponent?  An overachieving and obvious underdog Dallas Maverics team, comprised of one all star and several other former all stars all thought to be well past their prime.

And wouldn't you know it:

The mighty Miami Heat lost.  In six games, as a matter of fact.  Couldn't even manage to extend the series to a best of seven.  Here's how it ended just yesteday:

So:

What can we learn from the Miami Heat's failure?

1. Talking does not equal walking.  Simply saying something does not make it so.  Doing it makes it so.  As much as we say that we're all about community, or serving, or Urban Compassion, or inviting, or whatever, we are measured only by what we are actually doing.
    
   
2. Before you talk, walk.  Pretty obvious, right?  Whether you're thinking of promoting something or critizing something else, first ask: What are you already doing about it?  If nothing, then start doing before you start talking.  You may have an actual experience that drastically alters what you were thinking or thinking of saying.
   
   
3. Then, keep walking.  Maybe re-read point #2 if you skimmed past it.
   
   
4. Then, talk as you walk.  I respect someone who encourages me to do something (or criticizes me for doing something) when it comes out of a place of heartfelt passion AND demonstrated investment or experience.  I may not always agree with them, or choose their course of action, but I have to at the very least pause and give careful thought when their actions line up with their words.  On the flip side, I have very little time for someone who crticizes me or our campus for not fulfilling their expectations or ideals when I know that they are not spending much of their own time or money on the things that they claim to be the most concerned about.
   
   
5. Finally, be prepared to be held accountable for your talking.  Even though your actions are what really count, your words are what people will remember.  If you talk a big game but aren't walking it, then don't be surprised when someone else calls you on it.  In fact, take it as a correction and good discipline from God (Hebrews 12:5-6).

All of which leaves us with this question:

In what ways are you not walking what you're talking?

Comments

[Tony]

Very well written and nice to see a relatable and meaningful message among all of the Lebron jokes. Although as a Cleveland fan there was catharsis with a Dallas victory..:) Thanks for the reminder that it's not only what we say, but what we do.

[Jesse Tink]

Thanks Tony! And good use of the word "catharsis."