Wayne Gretzky and the gospel call

What Can Wayne Gretzky Teach Us About the Gospel??

One of the saddest things I see as a pastor is the notion of “professionalized ministry.” The idea is this: there are a few of us, gifted and capable, who are especially designed for ministry, and the rest of us just exist to support their efforts. We are sidelined while they play the game…

It’s a belief grounded in the following mental model:

God only uses the capable… and only works in the ideal.

But here’s the problem with that theory: NO SUCH PEOPLE EXIST.

That’s why we needed Jesus in the first place. You aren’t SAVED because you’re capable or worthy. God is not a stock-picker. He doesn’t save people based on how much “return” they’ll provide for His investment. He saves because He is a loving, merciful, and gracious God.

Similarly, He doesn’t only use the capable and gifted. He saves ALL KINDS. He uses ALL KINDS. And that news is critically important for us to understand as Christians, because it not only shapes how we respond to God (in worship) but also how we see the world and our place in it!

God works in the non-ideal all the time, because it’s the only option He has when it comes to humanity!!

Why?

Why does He use broken vessels?

Why does He trade beauty for ashes?

Because He is GOD. And broken, insufficient, non-ideal people are all He has to work with!!

Don’t let the gap between reality and ideal stand in your way, friends. God delights to use the weak and unorthodox and obscure and bizarre circumstances of our lives to perform His redeeming work.

He used fishermen, tax collectors, and prostitutes to spread the gospel.

He used a notorious persecutor of the church to write most of the New Testament.

Why would we assume that He can’t work that way today?

He does.

He will.

He is!!!

Not because we have the latest and greatest methods for sharing the gospel or the newest “ground-breaking” discipleship material… Not because we are capable, talented, or strong, but because He has promised to be with His church, forever and always. And because in our weakness, He shines even brighter!

Christian - you don't belong on the sideline. You were saved for a purpose. You were bought at a price. So... get off the sideline, and get into the game!

Not sure HOW to start?

Here are two non-ideal ways to do exactly that.

1). Pray a simple prayer:

“God, use me. I don’t have the strength. But I know you can use even me to accomplish your will. Give me the courage to step out in faith, trusting you to work in and through me: weaknesses and all!”

2). Take a shot!

As the old adage goes: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” - Wayne Gretzky.

Once you realize that the outcome doesn’t rest on you, the fear of failure no longer controls you. God delights to use the weak!! So… take the shot!

Invite that friend to church.

Tell that person you are praying for them.

Share that sermon.

Start that Bible Study.

Serve at the local shelter.

Don’t worry about whether it’s the perfect thing to do or the perfect way to do it.

It’s not!

It never is.

But the One who works through your imperfection is perfect, and He delights to use you, yes, even you, to spread His love and make His name known throughout the world!

It’s not ideal.

And that’s great news!