Since we’re in the final four of World Cup I thought I’d share a story.

Did you know that on penalty kicks the shooter has a 7% greater chance of making a goal if they shoot right up the middle than anywhere else?

The goalie will jump left 51% of the time and right 41%.

But only 17% of shooters kick it up the middle. Why?

Personal shame.

If you get your kick blocked by shooting up the middle everyone is going to ask, “why did you do that?”

If you kick high and to the right corner and the goalie makes a tremendous save, well, then he is the hero and while bummed, your country understands.

I’m reading (listening) to a book called “Think like a Freak” and it opens with that story.

Most of us even if we can bring global change won’t shoot up the middle because we put personal gain above country or collaborative gain. We’re selfish and worried about shame.

But freaks don’t do that. They don’t settle for self protection when they know something needs to be done.

If we are going to see the apostolic, prophetic, and evangelistic vocations become more prominent again in the western church we need to keep shooting up the middle. Some attempts might get blocked, we might feel shamed at points, but let’s keep the greater good of the mission of God as our focus.

what is something you know you need to do, but you are worried about shame if you miss?