Using the "Misses"

Last week I stood in a stadium in Lima where 100,000 people were gathered watching a televised Peru/Uruguay soccer game. Two goals were scored on Peru, but both were contested and did not count. Then, at the final shoot off at the end, Peru unexpectedly beat Uruguay all because ONE kicker from the Uruguay team missed his shot. What none of these players knew was that a massive event was planned in this stadium (far from where the game was actually being played) where 100,000 people were going to be told after the game about the amazing love of God and offered a chance to receive Christ into their lives. One coordinator of the ministry had actually said beforehand to prepare because if Peru lost, it would be much more of a battle to get the crowd to stay and hear. As I looked around later at a stadium full of closed eyes, streaming tears, and hands lifted in praise, my attention kept being pulled to that one Uruguay kicker. He would likely go home that night feeling defeated. Feeling like he "missed" his shot. Feeling like things didn't go "right". Little did he know, his "miss" paved the way for an impromptu church gathering where 100,000 heard the gospel and many received salvation. God whispered, "I am using the misses. I am using what you thought went wrong. I'm even using your shortcomings. Trust me that I see beyond what you can. And just as I promise, I am orchestrating even the misses to coordinate a massive win for the Kingdom". "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28