Ready

“And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.” -1 Thessalonians 3:12

You’ve had a reset. You’ve renewed your purpose. You’ve refueled and trained for this moment. It’s time to make the play and that shot.

That’s why athletes compete—to have those opportunities to boldly put that hard work into practice. You know you’re ready when you have the confidence to give your best and not worry about the outcome.

In the same way as a believer, you’ve gone through the process of spiritual reset, renewal and refueling. You are now ready to show boldness and share the Gospel with unbelievers. It’s time to make disciples and live out of the overflow of Christ in you.

In Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested for healing a man who couldn’t walk and for using the miracle to publicly share their beliefs. Their boldness made a big impact.

“But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.” – Acts 4:4

Peter and John were able to be bold because of the new power they had received from the Holy Spirit. They also had the courage to face their opponents because they had fostered accountability and strength through refueling with community. 

Things didn’t get any easier for Peter and John. The next day, the religious leaders questioned them and challenged their spiritual authority. Despite threat of further punishment, Peter boldly defended his faith and preached a powerful message.

“When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition.” – Acts 4:13-14

Peter and John were ready to go share because they had spent time refueling with scripture and prayer.

Like Peter and John, you too can have your own stories of showing boldness and sharing the Gospel. You just have to be willing to obey the Holy Spirit when those moments come. 

As you become more ready each day to show your faith and share the Gospel, the Holy Spirit will create in you another aspect of the Christian walk—a desire to serve others, which is a vital way to express God’s love to those closest to you and to those that might be outside of your comfort zone.

When you serve others, you are showing God’s love for them and opening the door to sharing the Gospel. The easiest place to start with those closest to you: your teammates, your friends, your classmates and your family members.

It shouldn’t stop there. In fact, some of the greatest opportunities to serve are with people who are outside of your comfort zone. Stretching beyond convenient serving looks different for each individual.

The other side of your serve might be a classmate whose into academics more than athletics, a teammate whose family is struggling to get by financially, a reclusive neighbor who rarely leaves his or her house, or a classmate who speaks a different language than you.

Sharing God’s love with others is a vital part of your new purpose in Christ. As you use your gifts in this way, you will be ready to leave your overwhelmed life behind and experience the overflowing joy and peace written about in our theme verse:

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

This is the focus: I am ready to go and make disciples out of the overflow of Christ in me.

“And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.” -1 Thessalonians 3:12