Advent 2022 – Day 27
Friday, December 23rd
Who Holds the Future!
By Courtney Miller / Season of life: 17, High School Senior, Committed Women’s Lacrosse Goalie at North Greenville University 2023
Scripture
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Before every lacrosse game since my junior year, I run into the crease, and I turn and face the goal and pray. This is a practice I started to pray over the health and safety of my teammates and myself. I end by turning around and tapping the goal posts with my stick, and I mutter “Here we go.”
The first time I started this practice, our star injured player who had just returned to play got possession and scored. Right then, I knew we were going to have a stellar season. Two goals later, I made one of the best saves in my career. My prayer practice gave me peace and confidence; but, most importantly, it reminded me that every person, athlete or not, has an epicenter. The epicenter for me is the relationship I have with God. By our last game of the season, every girl on my team knew that if they wanted to pray with me before the game, they could.
By instilling my core relationship with God into sports, I can say
before I walk onto the field and run into the crease, I will be at peace with my performance. No matter what, I know that the game, the outcome, and my talents, are all gifts from God. God is directing my future and using the gifts he has given me so that his plan can come full circle in my life.
The mission statement in the North Greenville University Women’s Lacrosse
locker room reads: “We will put Jesus first and last in everything we do. We are committed to pursuing excellence in what we do and who we do it with. We are passionate because we are all we have, and we are all we need. This is North Greenville Lacrosse, and we are locked in.”
I am excited about my future and the opportunity to fulfill the plans God has in store for me.
Closing Prayer
Thank you, God, for choosing me. Thank you for filling me with a passion for
sports that has shaped me with values, confidence, and leadership. For
those who do not know their gifts or future, I pray they will draw closer to
you, while growing spiritually, physically, and mentally. I pray they
grow in learning to love themselves, as we are all made in your image, and
that they love those around them as well. In your name I pray. Amen.
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Reflections
What is a talent or gift that God has given you?
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In what ways are you using this talent or gift to show others that you have faith in Jesus?______________________________________________________________________________________________
What is one way you can commit your talents or gifts more intentionally to God?
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Lord God, may I “repeat the sounding joy” of who You are today!