Football players like to “spike” the ball when scoring a touchdown. In basketball, dunking is the golden chalice when making a basket.
Yet, in 2013 the NCAA banned spiking a football after a touchdown. From 1967-1977, dunking was illegal in college basketball.
However, in the NFL, players can spike away, and in the NBA, there has never been a rule to prevent dunking. These players are encouraged to claim all the glory they can get. They are the best in the world, and people expect them to revel in their victories.
Yet, it is very different in our Christian walk. In Acts 3:12, just after healing the lame man at the Gate called Beautiful, Peter turned to the crowd who had gathered to watch the spectacle. He called out to them, “Why is this small deed such a marvel to you? Do you really think I’ve done this in my own power?”
What had happened? Peter had just healed a crippled man, one who had been lame since birth. Of course the crowd was amazed. In that moment, Peter could have mustered followers of his own if he had wished. However, with his words, he immediately turned the spotlight on the one who deserved all the glory.
It is when we forget whose right it is to claim the glory that we spike the ball to celebrate ourselves. It is pride that makes us go for the golden chalice, that dunk through the hoop becoming our prize for our excellence. Rather, God wishes us to turn the spotlight on him, for when he does miraculous wonders through us, it is his right to claim all the glory for himself.
When we let God have all the glory, we acknowledge that Jesus is alive, and that he lives in us every day.
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