I remember one of my first scrimmages. I was actually in the game. Crazy, right? We were on defense. I was guarding some guy that was nearly as bad as I was. He was trying to get the ball, but I stole it. YES! I stole it! But, what I did in the following moments wasn't so glorious. I remembered 3 things that I could do... 1. Pass it. Haha, no. 2. Shoot it. Haha, not yet. 3. Dribble it. Haha, worth a shot. I began to run and dribble at the same time. It was terrifying. But, soon enough I was near the goal and it was time to shoot. I launched it. Seriously. In that moment, without thought, I just threw the ball towards the basket. I'm sure my coach was in the background yelling, "NOOOOOO!". The ball sailed over the backboard. I was humiliated. I had missed the shot...by a lot!
Have you ever missed a shot? The bible says you have...
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
That word sin means "missing the mark" of what God says and has for us. We've missed it. And, our shot wasn't one that swirled around in the basket for a moment and then rolled out. We missed it by a long shot.
I never tried out for the high school team. Why? I was terrible, and I had no hope of ever making it. As a sinner and a shot misser, we don't start off on God's team. We start on the opposite team actually. This is a hard truth, because many of us know that the "other team" happens to be the one that loses. I've got good news though...
Despite our missed shots, and despite our ball(life) sailing over the backboard, Jesus has chosen us to cross the court and be on His team. Jesus calls our name. Jesus offers us grace. Jesus chooses us anyways...
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)
HOLY MOLY, this is good news! But, know this, Jesus hasn't chosen us to be the MVP. Jesus hasn't chosen us to sign autographs. Jesus hasn't chosen us so that we could play our own game. Remember, He chose us despite our lack of skill. He didn't choose us because we are awesome, but because He is awesome. He actually chose us despite us. He chose us because of His love. And, He lets us play for His purposes. He chooses us to play for His glory. If your faith/trust is in Him, you are on Team Jesus. He is who we play for.
Today, remember that you missed the shots, but that Christ has called you to play on His team anyway. Remember that grace today. And, let that grace grow you towards a life that pleases and glorifies Him.
Blessings!
All About Jesus.
