HOPEFEST
Spokane Hoopfest is the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world.
Nearly 6000 four-player teams of all ages and sexes battle on the streets of the River City at the end of June. Even though three games are guaranteed, for most this becomes a “lost and lonely” event since only one team per division (usually 16 teams) ends up being in the win-fest.
Ironically, Hoopfest and HOPEFEST have much in common.
- Some Hoopfest teams play with great joy and happiness; some HOPEFEST people live life with great joy and happiness.
- Some Hoopfest teams have exceptional sportsmanship and play fair for the love of the game; some HOPEFEST people live life with kindness, generosity of spirit and genuine love for their fellow mankind.
- Some Hoopfest players are so fun to watch because they share the ball and encourage their teammates; some HOPEFEST people are delightful because they shine the light of goodness, grace, mercy, and forgiveness to others.
Personally, Paul’s words years ago to another River City, and a leading city in Asia Minor, motivate me to live life like a player in Hoopfest with great life energy. His incredible life-giving orders to the people of Colosse inspire me to live a life of HOPEFEST with great passion, joy, and never-quit attitude. Take a moment to feed your mind with Paul’s great word-fest to these people in Colossians 3:13-18:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
