For Boston Celtics fans, there has been a lot of talk about the state of the current players as they lost the first three games of the Easter Conference Finals to what most consider a team with inferior talent.
One of the stars for the Celtics has spoken about having a “Mamba Mentality.” This refers to Kobe Bryant’s unrelenting work ethic to be the best. He didn’t always win the NBA Championship, but he was always working to be the best basketball player on the court on any given day. His goal was to be the best ever, and he put in the time and effort to be the best, and is considered one of the best to ever play the game.
Having a mamba mentality causes one to miss out on things. It causes one to put their job above even family and friends. It requires great sacrifice.
It is easy to talk about a willingness to sacrifice, but what happens when it comes time to actually make the sacrifices you said you are willing to make if asked?
This came into question after pretty much all of the Celtic starters, including Tatum, appeared to give up in the third game, putting them three games behind in a best of seven series. You can talk all you want about what your mentality is, but the truth often comes out in times of stress. Tatum might get there someday, but he clearly isn’t there yet.
In Exodus, the people of Israel turned away from God and began worshiping a golden calf which they had Aaron make. So the Lord looked to see who really was “for the Lord,” or who had a “Mamba mentality, Christian Style…”
“Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, ‘Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.’ And all the Levites rallied to him. Then he said to them, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.’ ... Then Moses said, “You have been set apart to the Lord today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day.” Exo 32:25-27, 29 NIV
What is our mentality when it comes to the things of the Lord? Are we “really” for the Lord, or is it all just talk?
Along the Multicolored Road 
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