He was devoted...devoted to his craft!

Do you get up and go to work?

Do you work hard at your job?

Do you constantly drive to enhance your career?

Do you dream about perfecting your craft?



Before you answer this question...Let's take a look at what these words really mean...



Work- exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil

Job- anything a person is expected or obliged to do; duty; responsibility

Career- an occupation or profession, esp. one requiring special training, followed as one's lifework

Craft- an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, requiring devotion


Now... How do you view YOUR profession?

Is it work?

Is it a job?

Maybe a career?

Or...

Is it a craft?


In all honesty...I didn't give much thought to the differences between these until I heard about a young boy named J-Mac...

J-Mac (Jason McElwain) was diagnosed with Autism at 2 years old but that isn't why his story has reached millions...


J-Mac has been labeled with something else...a love for playing basketball!


From a young age, basketball became his love and his refuge!

When coming into high school J-Mac did not make JV basketball team but his love for the sport drove him to be a part of it any cost!

He soon found a way to contribute to the team and its success...he became the team manager!

J-Mac was the JV team manager and eventually became the manager for the Varsity!

In his 3 years as team manager he never missed a practice and only missed one game!

As his senior season was coming to a close...

with just one game left...

J-Mac's coach said "J-Mac...I'm gonna try and get you in this game! I can't make any promises but I will try!"

The entire school had heard rumors about J-Mac getting to play in the last game of the season, so hundreds of students piled into the gym for the game. They carried cardboard cut-outs of J-Mac's face and cheered for him throughout the game!

Finally, it came...

With 4:19 left in the final game of the season (Senior Night) J-Mac was put in the game!

This was his time! This was his chance to show everyone what heart and drive can create!

Unfortunately, J-Mac missed his first shot!

The crowd sank...praying that J-Mac would score just one point in his first, and final, game!

Then...he lined up for a second attempt...


It was good! A 3-pointer! The stands exploded in a roar!


Then his next shot...ANOTHER 3!


And his next...ANOTHER 3!


No one could have imagined that in the final 3 minutes of the game J-Mac would score, an astonishing, 20 points!!!

That's right...J-Mac was 6 for 10 from the 3-point line and was the high scorer in the game!!!

As the final buzzer went off the fans rushed the floor! He had done it!


The game was an amazing story but its what J-Mac's dad said after the game that caught me by surprise...

When asked if his son's performance surprised him, he had this to say, "Not at all! Tons of kids play basketball but for J-Mac...it was more than a game! It was his craft! Shooting the basketball was an art to him! He saw it as an opportunity that needed constant attention and polishing! When you devote as much time to your craft as he devoted to his...you would experience what he did...Greatness!"

What a statement!!!

So...how do you view your profession?

Is it a job or a craft?

Is it a career ... or ... is an art?


Click Here To Watch J-Mac's Story (ESPN Special)