End of school year devotion...Defy the Odds

Written 5/6/15 for Shelbina Youth Group

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24. In other words, run to win!

Plans for the summer… things you want to do… experience… or accomplish.

I’ve watched you all compete playing games these last few weeks. I’ve seen your competitive spirit. Some of you really go all out!  

How many of you play basketball?

            In the U.S. 545,844 men will play HS ball.  17, 500 of them will play in college.

How many will make it to the pros?  164.   That’s 1 out of 3,328.

Ladies? 438, 933 HS’ers play. 15,708 of those will play in college.  132 will make it to the pros.

            That’s 1 in 3,325.

            I hope some of you can defy those odds.

Football? Hands?  1,108,441 HS’ers play. 67,887 will play in college. 887 will turn pro.

            That’s 1 in 1,249.

            I hope some of you young men can defy those odds.

How many of you will play baseball or softball this summer?

            Several of you will probably go see some MLB games this summer.

Let’s talk baseball. 471,025 athletes compete in HS.  31,264 will play in college.

            2,826 will make it to the pros. That’s 1 in 166. The odds for playing professional baseball are higher than any other sport.

So you have a better chance of playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, than the KC Chiefs, or the Miami Heat.

            I hope some of you can defy those odds.

But listen to this.

            “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Jn. 3:16-17

What does that mean?      We can all make God’s team!     We can all be winners!

Wouldn’t it be cool to wear a real Major league uniform? 

            To step out onto the field or into the coliseum and play the game.

            To see your name on the roster and hear it announced over the PA?

You can all put on the uniform for God’s team.  Galatians 3:27 says, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Can you hear?  God saying well done good and faithful servant!

            Your name will be entered in God’s roster- the book of life!

                        You will be able to play for God’s team on earth and in heaven.

                                    Can you hear the roar of the crowds?

You know, Jesus defied the odds. He let himself be put to death for our sin. He died so we wouldn’t have to. He paid the price for our sin. He made it possible for all of us to be winners in heaven, instead of losers in hell. We’ve talked about that all semester.

It’s the end of the school year. In Youth Ministry, we know from statistics, that some 8th graders will drift away from God and the church over the summer and never come back.                        But you all can defy those odds!

We also know from statistics, that some high schoolers, when they turn 16 and experience the freedom that a driver’s license will bring, will drive everywhere but to youth group or church.                        But you can defy those odds!

It is the prayer of every adult here, that you all will defy the odds. That you will stay connected to Jesus and his church. That you will not fall away. And when school starts next fall, we’ll see you all right back here, ready to learn and grow some more together. And to have fun! Christians should have more fun than anyone else because of what Jesus has done for us.

But, if you find yourself in a bad way this summer, reach out to another Christian for help. Call one of us! Don’t let Satan get you down and whoop up on you… reach out!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24.          Run to win!!!

Have a great summer! Defy the odds!

Let’s pray!