Grace is a word that can be thrown around a lot. Grace is a free and undeserved gift from God. We do nothing for it, and we don’t deserve it, yet God gives it to us.

This is the best news we can hear. Your self worth doesn’t depend on you making the perfect shot or playing the full game. Your identity doesn't come from your performance on a test.

God wants us to play for Him which means giving our best effort. No matter the outcome, God gives you security, protects you and delights in you.

His love is different than anything we have experienced. God loves you simply because He loves you. And He loves you no matter what.

He sees us as new and clean. We see in Psalm 32 that we need to acknowledge our sins and confess them. If we don’t, they can eat us alive and take away our joy.

The good news is that we can ask God to forgive us, and He makes us immediately clean. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior, we don’t have to be perfect for Him to forgive us.

Psalm 32:7 says that God is your hiding place and preserves you and has joy in you.

Maybe you feel that your teammates “don’t get you” or your coach only cares how you perform, and the fans only see you for your stats.

God isn’t like that. His steadfast love surrounds you. Steadfast means resolute, unwavering and dutifully firm. His love is strong, and He will never let go of you.

Reflect: These truths are cause for celebration and joy. Is there a teammate or friend whom you can talk with and help keep each other accountable for living in the joy of Christ? Is there someone with whom you can share this message?

A prayer to consider: Father God, thank You for the freedom that You give. Help me confess my sins so that I can live freely in You.