Full Court Press

   What is a full court press? In most situations in the sport of basketball, when a team is playing defense it usually waits until the team on offense gets to about half court or maybe a little earlier to apply defensive pressure. In crucial situations, such as the team being down a few points late in the game, when they need a key defensive stop in the middle of the game, or when they want to apply added pressure to a certain player,  the team will call for a "full court press." Meaning that the team will be right up in the opposing team's face right as they touch the ball at the far side of their court, thus applying defensive pressure the entire length of the court. Is this tiring for both teams? Yes. For the defense, it is a sign that they have a sense of urgency. They strive to take the ball from the offense, or in other words, to cause a "turnover" in a key part in the game. This usually flusters the offense and makes their offensive scheme less effective and sometimes even break down.
   Now, that being said, how does that have anything to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ or being a missionary, Elder Lee? Well, let me tell you. To address the elephant in the room, yes I have very little time left on my mission. But also, I have plenty of time. Yes, it's "late in the 4th quarter" for me, so to speak. But that means I still have some game left. I haven't taken off the jersey and ran into the locker room just yet. There are still numbers on the game clock that aren't zero. And now it is time for me to put a "full court press" on Satan and his teammates. I will apply the most pressure to him and his plan that I possibly can these last 6 weeks. I want to frustrate his offensive scheme and break it down. How do I do that? Making every second count. Taking what I have learned these past 22 1/2 months and applying it to full force. That's what makes an effective full court press. Making every second count and not letting your arms down or stance slacken the entire time, and applying what you learn in practice. Will it be tiring? Yes. But worth it? Absolutely. This stuff doesn't come free!
   Satan needs a little "pressure" to his plan. We can fluster him and cause him to "turn the ball over" by doing the things God wants us to do. Reading our scriptures, praying at least twice a day alone, and going to church every Sunday. That is how we keep constant pressure on him. Because we have the best teammate on the face of the planet. He also happens to be the best player. WAY better than Kobe Bryant, LeBron James or Blake Griffin. His name is Jesus Christ. With him on our team, we cannot lose. He is up there in the front of the full court press formation, doing the hardest work. We just have to follow his lead and we will be lead to victory. Jesus Christ wants us to win. He is on our side, even when we aren't playing our best game. Of course we are going to miss a few shots here and there, and turn the ball over once in a while, but he is always on the court waiting to help us. There always will be opposition, but we always gain victory
as we follow Christ's lead and seek to give Satan a good ol' fashioned "full court press."