Daily Power #16

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. (Hab. 2:3 ESV)

My senior year of high school, I played in the semifinals of the state tennis championships against a guy who was undefeated. My opponent was favored to win the tournament, so a college scout from a great university had come to watch him play. State semifinals were a big deal, so I really played my guts out, just giving everything I had. And lo and behold, I wiped the court with my (previously undefeated) opponent.

When I walked off the court, the recruiter walked right past him, straight to me, and offered me a full, four-year tennis scholarship to this awesome university! A little while after he left, I played my next match, in the finals, against a guy I had beaten just two weeks before. And he destroyed me. I played the worst match I’ve probably ever played.

Clearly, timing is everything. God had a plan, and it was no coincidence that the recruiter saw me play my best right before I played one of my worst matches ever. I never could have arranged events to synchronize that way if I’d tried. Sometimes we just have to show up and do our best and leave the outcome to God. Win or lose, he uses everything in our lives for good.

Power Lift

Dear God, forgive me for being impatient, because I know you are always right on time. I always want to do my best for you as you strengthen my ability to trust you with the outcome.