Ever wonder why people, particularly Americans, can’t help themselves in rooting for the underdog? It’s because the idea of achieving the impossible is written in our hearts and within our DNA by God Himself. This is why David and Goliath is among the most popular Bible stories of all-time and has become ubiquitous in our culture. This is why Susan Boyle was an overnight sensation. This is why we adore movies like Rudy, Rocky, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. These stories stir something deep within us because the idea of an underdog has been factory-loaded into all of us since the creation of man.
To be clear, it’s a little more complicated than that. His plan is for us to trust in Him to do “immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). Essentially to defy the odds. The Lord often asks us to do things that transcend our logic and pit us against seemingly insurmountable obstacles. That sounds familiar, right? Because that’s a huge part of the plot of practically every book, movie and TV show. In fact, it’s simply the basic structure of how to tell an engaging story. But at some point we substituted ourselves in the role of God, completely changing the narrative. We rely on our will and wisdom to achieve self-serving goals instead of placing our trust in an all-powerful God to be part of His purposes. However, the basic need to overcome impossible odds still rings true. Just remember that this is His story, not ours.
To read more about this concept that, frankly, was revolutionary for me two weeks ago, check out Experiencing God by Henry T. Blackaby & Claude V. King.
