“Remember, you are not going to do it all right tonight, but let’s have fun, this is basketball. Keep going…” Jason Kidd
In what may be a shock to many of you, I have to confess, I am a massive sports fan. Some may even say a sports tragic.
There is no metaphor for learning or life that cannot be summed up by sport. There are no greater movies than sporting epics. Watching your team play is time well spent; even better when they win.
However, there is a pitfall. Sport can be all-consuming, all-encompassing, entirely unforgiving. For many, the tides of our life often echo the rise and fall of our team; our identity can be entwined with our performance; or gifted athletes attain God-like status. Granted, this is evident in other professions or pass-times, but it is true for sport.
Like anything in our life, if it gives us life, rather than us giving it life, it becomes dangerous.
The sport of choice for me now is the NBA final series. Celtics v Mavs. Tatum v Doncic. Millions of people across the globe, China being one of the highest, tune in to watch the NBA finals. In America 50% of the TV viewership in the age range of 18-34 watched Game One of the finals!
Like it or not, this is a big deal and has a massive influence. Winning is everything and it is all about money, fame and success.
And yet…
Jason Kidd, coach of the Mavs, and former NBA champion, said to his players before they went out on basketball’s biggest stage,
“You are not going to do it all right tonight, but let’s have fun, this is basketball. Keep going…”
His advice was not, “Your future depends on this moment, it is all or nothing, be perfect, achieve at all cost.”
His advice was based on truth that allowed his players to be human, enjoy the gift they had been given and do their best.
Another classic lesson from sport!
This is not Kidd’s original idea though, right? I would argue that over time he has realised what is most important. It is not the moments that define us, but the way we navigate them that defines us.
It is no different in the Christian faith.
When John (read in John 1:16) is telling the world that Jesus has come, the living image of God, he celebrates that from His fullness we have received “grace upon grace”.
I have heard grace defined as unmerited favour, or God’s undeserved power that works in us to make us more like God. I like both.
I love the idea that in Jesus we have the favour and power to help us live this life. God gives us opportunity upon opportunity to receive Jesus’ fullness and live how we were destined to. It is not about perfect living, or getting it right all the time. Sure, there is room to aim for that, like there is in playing well, but God recognises this is impossible for us and so shares with us His fullness, grace upon grace, to help us.
In this truth, I hear echoes of Kidd’s advice: “Remember, you are not going to do it all right today, but let’s have fun, this is life. Keep going…”
And the beauty is, it is no different in the way we seek to partner together to educate our kids. Yes, we aim to learn well, to be rigorous, to establish foundations of rock that lead to success. But, we do this by applying the grace upon grace principle. We understand we all need so many chances to succeed, and that we need team.
Good Christian education fosters a full understanding and appreciation of the importance of the moments our students live in and by God’s grace we empower our students to navigate these moments successfully – eventually.
I know it is easy to write or speak such sentiments, but the challenge is to implement them, live them, whether we are coaching in front of millions, on a stage to thousands, or in a classroom with our most important assets.
So, let’s take the pressure off for a second, put it in perspective and keep playing. Let’s daily draw upon the fullness of a gracious friendship with Jesus, who empowers us to ‘keep playing’.
Blessings,
Jonno
Senior School Snow Trip
Monday 17 June - Friday 21 June
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RCC PRAYER GROUP
Mondays at 2pm.
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LAST DAY OF TERM 2 2024
Friday 5 July 2024
FIRST DAY OF TERM 3 2024
Monday 29 July 2024
Grace is a 26 y/o local performing musician and songwriter with over 7 years of tutoring experience across a wide range of genres, abilities and demographics. She has 2 years of experience working as a support for NDIS and has used music as a support and learning tool for children with disabilities. She holds a Bachelor of Music (JMC Academy Sydney 2017) and tutors vocals (all levels), guitar (electric, acoustic, beginner-intermediate), ukulele and keys (beginner). Additionally, Grace has completed a graduate diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy and is in her final year of her Master of Gestalt Psychotherapy (Gestalt Therapy Brisbane). She is incredibly passionate about pairing her knowledge of music with psychotherapy, where appropriate and wanted, to improve creative confidence and self-expression. She is available on Wednesdays 10am - 2.30pm for tutor sessions at School. Please contact Grace on 0435 129 675 for more details.
Music with Ben... At School Music Tuition is available with Ben for all levels guitar (acoustic and electric) and for beginner/intermediate piano. Ben also incorporates singing into lessons for students who want to also sing. Ben has a Bachelor of Music Composition & Production and has played and been involved with music for many years. He is keen to have fun and work with students who love music expression and can be diligent with their practice. Lessons available on Tuesdays at Richmond Christian College during and after school hours. Lessons are $40+GST per half hour. Please make enquiries with Ben at benjaminwhitwood@gmail.com.
Racecourse Café provides a lunch canteen Monday to Friday.
Bring your orders into the School Office before school or by 10.30am.Please write the name and order on a bag or envelope and enclose the exact money.Note: No Change will be given as orders go straight to the Racecourse Café. Also, if you make payment over the phone, Racecourse Café will charge an extra 50c.
Date: 21st June 2024
Who: Grade 6 to 12 students
Time: Gate opens at 6:00 pm with courtyard games, activities and snacks. The main event starts at 7:00 pm and ends at 8:30 pm. We will then return to the courtyard area to end the night with hot Milos and baked goods before closing the gate at 9:00 pm.
Cost: Tickets are $10pp and will be released via the Youth Alive NSW website in the upcoming weeks.
Location: Eastgate Church Byron Bay
Dinner is Served would like to help support our school community. As parents ourselves we know how busy it is with work, after-school activities, and everything else and our take-home meals are perfect for easing the load during the week (or having a night off at the weekend!). We’ve created a discount code for the Richmond Christian College community which is RCC15. This will give anyone who uses it a 15% discount and free delivery on their first order placed online www.cookaborough.com/dinner-is-served
Shilpi Karner
Director & Event Manager
0431 436 138
events@dinnerisserved.com.au
