Sports Spectrum Daily Devotional - Thursday, May 3, 2018

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10

BLOWN SAVES

I enjoy reading baseball box scores, and from time to time I’ll see the “blown save” statistic listed under the pitchers’ numbers.

The blown save is by nature a negative stat, measuring the failure of a relief pitcher to take advantage of opportunity to secure the win and save the game for his team. A save opportunity becomes blown when it is lost through the pitcher’s performance. Within his grasp, the save is dropped.

Do you have any blown saves on your record? How about in your work for the Savior? Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God has service opportunities specifically planned for you as His child. Determine to know them, to recognize open doors in your life and to go through them, counting on His empowerment for service. Lost opportunities, as spilled water, often cannot be reclaimed. Some may come around again, but others never return.

Do you have blown saves in your witness for the Savior? God provides unmistakable open doors of opportunity to speak in His name. We drop the ball when we fail to share the gospel in those situations, for whatever reason – the fear of man, fear of failure or unpreparedness. Peter blew a save opportunity in Pilate’s judgment hall, didn’t he? He denied the Savior at a critical moment.

Paul wrote, “With praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” – Colossians 4:3- 4. There is an obligation to make it manifest.

Someone needs you today to speak His words; the door is open, the Spirit is prompting you, a seeking heart is prepared by Him to listen. Will you speak? Determine to not allow a save opportunity to become blown by your inaction. Be prepared, watchful, sensitive to the Spirit’s leading.

Let’s hope there will be no blown saves in the box score of your day ahead.

Jeff Nayadley

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