"Underdog"

I love a long odds winner,

Whom no one thought would win,

And hopes could not be thinner,

When they the race begin.

But it’s not how quick you start it,

But getting to the finish line,

More than talent, depth of heart it,

Even coming from behind.

I saw it at the Derby,

I’ve seen it through the years,

All their speed used early,

But fold and fail in tears.

But then the one nobody’s picked,

Rises to the top,

Like encouragement was somehow sicced,

And they no one could stop.

And here’s a thing the Lord has shown,

He chooses oft to do,

Picks the one that’s far and flown,

And uses them it’s true.

The losers of this world you see,

He makes them all His own,

Saves and heals and sets them free,

His grace and power shown.

And then because they cannot do,

He does what can’t be done,

His strength in weakness comes right through,

At the finish line they’ve won.

Don’t count ‘em out cause they may be,

The next one He will call,

To rise, come from behind you see,

And nothing can forestall.

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27, NAS)

God’s ways are not our ways. Nowhere is this more obvious than when we see the people God loves and uses for His glory. They oftentimes are overlooked or rejected altogether by human evaluation. Yet they become instruments in God’s hands who are used powerfully to accomplish His purposes. Why? Perhaps it is to point out the nonsensical approach of a world that has excluded its Creator. How irrational to think that we can accomplish anything of eternal value through our own merit or effort. it is, rather, through the life-changing grace of God flowing through weak vessels that gets it done.

Lord, help us to see as You see, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tim Cox, used by permission. Thanks, Tim, and God bless you.