Victorious Underdogs

Good morning! I hope you have come away from your weekend refreshed and well rested.

Like many of you, I spent yesterday evening with friends watching Super Bowl XLII. The underdog New York Giants faced off with the seemingly unstoppable New England Patriots. The Patriots were expected to win after a stellar 17-0 run through the regular season and playoffs. The Giants on the other hand were not seen as consistent and quarterback Eli Manning had struggled some during the season.

When it was all said and done the Giants came out victorious. Their defense had risen to the occasion to shut down the high powered offense of the Patriots. Eli Manning came through by pulling away from what seemed to be a certain sack and throwing a game changing pass late in the 4th quarter. The quarterback who had previously been called “inconsistent” is now the Super Bowl MVP.

This game makes for great thoughts about the way God works in our lives. Consider the following passage of scripture:

Instead, God has chosen the world’s foolish things to shame the wise, and God has chosen the world’s weak things to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27 (HCSB)

Time and time again throughout scripture we see God using the most unlikely of people to accomplish the most extraordinary of things. Those who society would consider ordinary become so much more in God’s hands.

Think of some of the people who have had the greatest impact on your life. If you are like me, these people were not the movers and shakers of the community, but instead quiet, ordinary people. The thing that made them extraordinary was the way they allowed God to use their lives.

Today, take time to reflect on this thought:

Others may label you an underdog…but with God on your side the label “champion” is just around the bend.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl