Untitled Document

COACH FINDS RARE BIRD

Larry Bird is one of the greatest basketball players fans have ever seen. But if had not been for Bob King's persistence, Larry Bird may never have become known outside of Indiana.

Bird had left the Indiana University program and moved back to his hometown of French Lick. His mom recalled that Larry was hanging around town, collecting garbage, and painting park benches.

Bob King was head coach of Indiana State and he sent his assistants to find Bird and recruit him to ISU.

Can you imagine? He became one of the all-time great legends of basketball but without the persistence of the Indiana State coaches, Larry Bird might still be hanging around keeping himself out of trouble with odd jobs. The world may never have known the talent of Larry Bird.

When the coaches came to Bird's house and discovered he was not there, Larry's mother told them not to bother him. Refusing to let the coaches in her house and standing behind the screen door, Mrs. Bird told them exactly what Larry had instructed her. "Why are you bothering him? He doesn't want to go to school. Leave him alone."

Nonetheless, the coaches were determined to find their man. They searched until they found Bird leaving the Laundromat with his grandmother. They talked to him for an hour and invited him to come play for Indiana State.

A week later Larry Bird made his decision to retire from garbage collection and attend Indiana State. The rest is history.

Bird helped lead the Sycamores to the NCAA Championship against Magic Johnson and Michigan State. He helped restore the Boston Celtics to greatness. His presence and talent helped revitalize the NBA. Larry Bird became a legendary Hall of Fame basketball player.

Even as a coach, Bird successfully led the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals for the first time ever. But if those coaches had just given up and gone home, who knows what would have happened to Larry Bird. There were other people on Bird's trail but the persistence of the ISU coaches made the difference.

Even Mrs. Bird recalled, "The difference was that Indiana State was more persistent than other schools."

God's love is persistent. Like those coaches looking for Larry Bird, God searches for you. Jesus told a series of stories about God's persistent love. In the first one, Jesus said if a shepherd has 100 sheep but one wanders off, the shepherd searches for that one sheep. That one lost sheep out of 100 matters to the shepherd.

Jesus asked, "Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?" And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'"

Jesus said, "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." Luke 15:4-7

There is a party in heaven when one person realizes the need for God and accepts His forgiveness. God is determined to know you. He has been persistently seeking you. Will you join God's team?

Your decision means more to God than Larry Bird's decision to give up painting park benches and return to basketball. Although countless fans cheered Bird's victories, God's victory in finding you leads to a celebration in all of heaven that is beyond your imagination. The angels in heaven will throw a victory parade in your honor. Make that decision to let God find you and join His team.

Christ my Coach,

Steve Teel