Who are you bowling for?

The ball is cast, but the LORD determines the pinfall.
Proverbs 16:33 (Paraphrased)

I was watching my Dad bowl yesterday, and it occurred to me, no matter how skilled, no matter how excellent a bowler you may become, no one averages 300 (the score for the "perfect game"). This doesn't mean we shouldn't do every thing to the best of our ability, but rather we should do our best and not worry about the outcome as the LORD determines both the immediate and the ultimate outcome.

If I'm bowling for the Lord, then I can be free to concentrate on the throw at hand without worrying over the game, series, or match. Or even the outcome of the ball just thrown, other than as a way to learn and better my effort. It's easy to see the blessings of God, when you get an undeserved "lucky" strike. But real liberty and joy come from accepting that the 7-10 split is just as much a blessing for your benefit and God's glory. Even though you will often fail to convert it into a spare. When you accidentally put the ball into the gutter, you can take solace knowing that you cannot fail to bowl for God by tossing the ball, you can only fail God by not bowling at all.