The Disrupter


I wasn’t at the basketball game, but thankfully a quick-acting parent captured this critical play on his iPhone. With seconds on the clock, the opponents had the ball in a tied game. Fans screamed as the ball was tossed between the opposing players—using up precious seconds on the clock. Their lead scorer was merely waiting for the exact second to sink the winning shot. It looked like this would be how their undefeated season would end.

But the opponents weren’t expecting the disrupter. In a deft move, the point guard caused a player to fumble the ball. He snatched it away. His teammate had seen the move and was already sprinting down the court. 


With just seconds remaining, the point guard threw the ball in a breathtaking arch, right into his teammate’s hands. Dribbling once, he spun around and sunk the winning shot as the buzzer sounded.



Without the disruption the game wouldn’t have been won. Disrupters don’t always set things up for a win, but they always create an opportunity to do things differently. Or see things that may have been missed. 


By definition, disrupters can be someone or something causing a disturbance or a problem. Covid is a negative disruptor.


But a positive disruptor sees opportunities or creates them, maybe even setting things up for an unexpected win. 


I’d like that. I think we all would.


I'm not a game-changing disrupter, but I can offer a smile, a prayer, and a positive word for those who are. This is your time to shine, disrupters.


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