In the Zone
CBN.com - For a baseball player "it" is when the ball appears to be the size of a beach ball. For basketball players "it" is when the game moves in slow motion. For hockey and soccer players "it" is when the goal appears to be as wide as a five lane highway. And for football players "it" is when nothing on the field can stop you. That "it" is when you are in the zone.
Doctors and psychologists across the land have tried to quantify the scientific reasons for this phenomena without success. Some believe it is a chemical reaction within a players brain. Others think the zone is a players mental ability to control all facets of their body and environment surrounding them. And unfortunately, a few misguided experts feel it is when the cosmic tumblars of the universe lock into place for a few brief moments within a players game.
No player in the era of modern sport knew what it was like to be in the zone more than Michael Jordan. Not since the time he calmly nailed the game winning shot in the 1982 NCAA championship as a gangly freshman until his first retirement in 1999 has a player stepped into the zone as many times as Mr. Jordan.
Countless winning shots, critical steals at key moments and crucial blocked shots seemed to be the norm in his makeup as a player. There are so many examples that they are hard to recount. However, two moments of Jordan being completely in the zone come to mind.
Rewind to 1985. Having only played 18 games during the regular season due to a broken foot, Jordan returned to score 63 points against the highly vaunted Boston Celtics in an all important play-off game. He did so against the likes of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, two future Hall of Famers. Jordan made it look effortless.
Our second snapshot of Jordan is of him hitting the game winning shot in his final game with the Bulls. That shot won the 1999 NBA championship for Chicago. It was a moment that children dream about.
After so many moments in the zone it is not surprising to see him make a comeback despite the fact he was forced to divest his minority ownership of the Washington Wizards. He wants that feeling back.
Another fine example of being in the zone occurred earlier this year. Playing in the second round of the Standard Register Ping golf tournament in Phoenix, golfer Annika Sorenstam shot the lowest round in LPGA Tour history. In doing so, Sorrenstam became the first woman to break the 60 barrier by carding a 59 for 18 holes.
Her round included 13 birdies, no bogeys, and a meager 25 putts on the 6,459 yard course. She missed just one fairway and hit every green in regulation. Only two of those putts were tap-ins. The remainder were in the 10-25 foot range.
While there was certainly a buzz from an ever increasing gallery as she closed in on the final three holes, Sorrenstam was oblivious to the environment surrounding her. In her mind there was only silence. Quite simply, she was in the zone.
On an earlier edition of The 700 Club, Survivor IIs Michael Skupin shared with Pat Robertson and Terry Meeuwsen what it was like to be in the zone ... the prayer zone. Without the distractions, deadlines, or hectic pace provided by every day life, he revealed that it was an amazing experience and opportunity to be deeply immersed in prayer while competing in Australia.
He explained that he would lie in his tent at night and talk to God for what felt like just a few minutes. A glance of his watch revealed that an hour sometimes two would have elapsed. It is through this prayer zone experience that Skupin began to develop a deeper walk of faith with Jesus Christ.
There is no question that being in the zone as a Christian means to have meaningful prayer time with our Lord. As Skupins experience illustrates, the more we communicate with God, the deeper our faith will be.
It says in
to "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."How exciting it is to know that we can talk to God anytime, anyplace, anywhere and know that He is listening. He is always there reaching out to us whether we are in the Australian bush or in our own backyard. He is there to walk with us side by side, step by step, regardless of where we are.
With this in mind it seems only natural that we as Christians should want to be in the prayer zone. It deepens our faith and understanding of our relationship with Christ.
Do yourself a favor today and get in the zone.
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