I love a good underdog story! Don’t you? In fact, the large majority of Americans prefer an underdog story. Maybe it’s because our country was founded entirely on one–a group of rag-tag rebels in a newly created country rebelled, fought, and won against the greatest military empire in the world at that time! And they did it because they believed in something greater than themselves–in justice, in fairness, and in taxation only with representation, darn it!
But the underdog story is nothing without the unlikely heroes that rise up and lead. Our nation’s history is riddled with stories of those who should have been counted out, but instead dug deep into their spirits and leaned on their faith, using all their grit and gifts to beat the odds. Many of them you’ve heard of and probably know something about their stories to overcome adversity and find success: Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith in the 2006 film “The Pursuit of Happyness”), Walt Disney, Dr. Dre, Buster Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Sanders. There are many others that you may not have heard of, but I promise you can find their stories out there and will be left inspired and in awe of what they have accomplished: Henrietta Lacks, Virginia Apgar, Maurice Hilleman, Sarah Breedlove, just to name a few.
The Bible is also FULL of stories of unlikely heroes who transformed history and the course of mankind by listening to and following God’s direction. From those with physical ailments (Moses stuttered) to those with mental health struggles (Elijah was deeply depressed, even after a big win) to those who made really, really questionable choices (David, “a man after God’s own heart”, was both an adulterer and a murderer), God often used those who society deemed as unfit, unruly, unattractive, or unable, but through His power they were able to lead, guide, change, direct, and bring God’s people into safer, better circumstances.
One of my favorite stories is of Gideon (read Judges 6-7 for more). He was the youngest in the “least” of the families in his community. He was hiding out when God went looking for him because he was scared of the neighborhood bullies. He asked God repeatedly for a sign that it was actually him that God wanted to do this thing, to free God’s people from these terrible tyrants ruling their land. God was patient with him; God encouraged him; God gave Gideon what he needed to make a move. But then God….
Sometimes we don’t really understand what God is doing. When Gideon finally got the courage to call others into battle with him, 32,000 men immediately signed up. They went and set up camp, but God told Gideon to send any home who were afraid. Only 10,000 stayed in the camp. Then God culled them down again…when it was time to go into battle only THREE HUNDRED men were there to fight these HUGE armies of their opponents. And yet, they still, by some miracle, won the battle! And won it big!
Ultimately, God wanted the glory, so Gideon’s situation had to be hopeless by human standards. That’s where God does His thing–His power is highlighted when we are at our weakest or least capable! (2 Corinthians 12:9) To NOT be an underdog, to go in completely prepared and with all the skills and tools and support you need, YOU might get the glory. And there is not where praise, credit, or thanks belongs. In all circumstances, God is due all the credit!
So, I ask you, why are you holding back? God created you for more! He has good work for you to do. He created you with purpose, and somewhere inside, there is a voice that begs you to take a bold step into that calling. To say you aren’t capable is one thing; you probably aren’t. But GOD is. Do you trust Him? Then today just might be the day that you become another unlikely hero in the story God keeps writing! I can’t wait to praise Him for the things He helps you do!
And never forget as my Memaw always said: Jesus loves you, and so do I!
Dr. Allison Key
