“I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service.” 1 Timothy 1:12 ESV
What’s the saying? You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Wayne Gretzky (attributed with this line) is a hockey legend, but his wisdom extends beyond the rink with this gem.
Of course no human will make every shot they take. Even Gretzky finished his 20-year career with a mere 17.6% regular season shooting average. Think about that: the greatest hockey player of all time managed to make less than 1/5 of the shots he took!
But what do people remember about Gretzky? Well, it sure isn’t the number of shots he missed. Like all those sold-out for their professions, Gretzky counted the cost, honed his skills and did not shy away from taking the shots.
What about you? Are you as sold-out for Jesus as the best athletes are for their sports? Do you count the risk of “failing” worth it if it means giving all you have to God?
We too easily fall for Satan’s “stinking thinking.” Rather than see the potential in “what ifs,” we dwell in the negative. We ask, “Who am I?” rather than, “Whose am I?” In Jesus’ name, no more!
Who are you? A redeemed child of God with the Holy Spirit—God Himself—living within you. What if you fail? What if you don’t know the answer? What if you say something wrong? How about we ask, “What if God shows up?”
Unlike us, God makes every shot He takes. The results are up to Him, not us. As a mentor reminded me recently, our mission—our privilege—is to be in God’s flow and allow Him to handle the rest.
Believe me, it’s marvelous to witness God work in and through people. To see their eyes open, their hearts set ablaze for Him: priceless. Just as it’s amazing to watch a child grow, so it is to see someone as they mature in their faith and take the shots.
Such has been the case recently as I have watched a couple people forsake their discomfort for the sake of following God. These individuals have been so uncertain of themselves; for a variety of reasons, they view themselves as “less than” and “unqualified.” Oh, how wrong God is proving them!
Unlike us, God makes every shot He takes. The results are up to Him, not us.
Are they doing something revolutionary? Well, it depends whose standards you’re using. Not according to the world, but God says otherwise. One is a young lady who was convinced (and still is— it’s a work in progress!) she’s not a disciple-maker. Yet, in her quest to “hand people over to me,” come to find out, she’s already discipling 3 ladies. Three! Without her even knowing!
Another is a lady who believed the lie she’s not in ministry. Well, we all know, if we’re a child of God, He’s given us a ministry! Yet it wasn’t until this woman stepped out of her comfort zone— publicly shared her testimony—that she saw how God’s using her passion to gather women seeking Him. Is that not a ministry?!
Friend, what lie are you believing? Cast aside Satan’s stinking thinking and embrace God’s calling on your life. The results are not up you, but the One with a 100% shooting average.
References:
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). Crossway Bibles.