Playing Every Game Like It's My Last.

Over a month ago, nine-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons for Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess.  An article about the trade and his debut with his new team playing against the New Jersey Nets was reported in the Saturday, November 8 issue of The New York Times.

I am not a big fan of Iverson's character, age 33, with a career average of 27.7 points per game and third all-time in average points per game only behind Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.  Iverson has a storied history of run-ins with the law, not being a team player nor a role model for kids to follow.  But what caught my attention at the end of the article was what he said about how he plays the game of basketball.  Iverson said, “They (referring to his Detroit Pistons teammates) know what I’m about.  I’ve played against those guys for years.  They know what I bring to the table and vice versa.  But my whole thing is to go out on the court and do what I’ve been doing my whole career, and that’s playing every game like it’s my last.”

I think Iverson's got an important aspect about life that is easy to forget.  He recognizes time is fleeting.  Life is short.  He is not going to be here forever.  Each game could be the last one he plays in his professional NBA career.  

Do I live with the mindset that today could be my last?  If I do, would I live it any differently than I do now?

How would you live today if it were your last?

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16