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I may be moving slowly, with a spine as prone to breakage as a G.I. Joe’s, but I’ll still play basketball because my body knows the rhythms. I can play my favorite sport even when I’m tired and sore—and I’ll feel better afterward.

You could call this transformative muscle memory. I remember my basic moves like I remember how to ride a bike. I know how to get my shot off: the tendons and synapses work together and it happens—I just give ‘em the go-ahead.

My body remembers enough about the game to cover for my bad knees and avoid embarrassment on defense, maybe even notch a few wins. That’s because I’ve put the time in. I love hoops enough to drive through traffic even when my engine is not firing on all cylinders…

I’ve been thinking that spiritual disciplines are the “game” that makes it possible for us to walk “good enough” with Jesus even when we’re limping. We can return to Jesus, even hurt and tired, because we have a learned soul-memory that helps us get back to grace.

That’s the whole point of making moves like prayer and Bible and journaling and life together consistent and structured. Do them often enough and the frequency gives us a spiritual muscle-memory that helps us be good at grace. I need to practice more…

And yes, I am making the subtle case that basketball is next to godliness.

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