Made for This MomentSample

MADE FOR THIS MOMENT: PAUL

God's Grace is Sufficient

WARM-UP

“Then the Lord told him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at Judas’ house look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he may see again.’ But Ananias replied, ‘Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, and here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call on your name!’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel.’” – Acts 9:11-15

ON THE PITCH

You are made for this moment. You have trained hard, sacrificed much, and practiced countless hours to prepare for the World Cup. Additionally, God has called you into this moment, has uniquely equipped you, and has placed you here for a purpose. Just like the apostle Paul, who journeyed from persecutor to preacher, God can use every bit of your past and present to accomplish His divine plan.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, was uniquely equipped and placed long before encountering the living God. His name was Saul, and he was a Roman citizen with access and protection across the landscape, highly educated in mosaic law, trained as a Pharisee, and skilled in classic Roman education. Yet, all these talents were seemingly for naught until he encountered God on the road to Damascus. He was marked and changed forever, becoming a new creation in Christ with a new purpose. Saul became Paul. His previous education and developed skills prepared him to write 13 books in the New Testament and break down the truth of the gospel. God used every bit of Paul's past to accomplish His divine call.

Like Paul, you have a unique upbringing, a certain set of skills, and perhaps even some things that look unusable by God's standards. But today is the day the Lord has made, and God is passionate about using every bit of you in His story. Your unique gifts and placement are not coincidences; God has a purpose for them. He intends to use them now for His glory.

As you prepare for your next big moment, whether on the pitch or in any other area of your life, remember that God's grace is sufficient for you. You don't have to rely on your own strength or abilities to succeed. God's grace meets you where you are and will carry you through. So go out there and shine, knowing that you are serving Christ.

What unique giftings or placement do I have that God wants to use for His glory? How can I rely on God's grace and not my own strength as I prepare for my next big moment?

EXTRA TIME

2 Corinthians 12:1-10; 2 Timothy 2:1

PRAYER

God, thank You for this moment and this opportunity. Thank You for Your call on my life. Thank You for Your abundant grace! Lord, by Your Spirit, use me to bring honor and glory to Your name. In the name of Jesus, amen.