Underdog
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Sam 16:7
“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future” is one of the best quotes from the Lords of the Rings. And even though it’s a made up quote for a fictional world, so much of it matches up with the very heartbeat of New Generation. A small person who connects with God can change things for real, in the real world. It’s not only encouraging in general, it’s biblical and true in the real world where students make a real difference.
When the prophet Samuel was choosing who would rule Israel, God reminded him not to judge someone on how they seemed to the world. Samuel was reminded not to look for the person who seemed to be best when seen through human eyes. Before he was introduced to David, he met with all of David’s brothers, but none of them seemed to be the one God wanted - though they were all strong and noble. In the end, Samuel had to ask if there were any more brothers in order to get to meet David. He was just “little David”, a shepherd and youngest of the family. But he was exactly who God needed and chose to lead His people. Someone who didn’t seem like much to the world, but had the heart God wanted.
In our own time in history, despite many differences, some things remain the same. You might feel unqualified to be the person who takes Jesus to your school, you might just want to go there to get your grades and leave. Maybe the thought of telling any of your classmates about God feels like a nightmare or you might face prejudice from others. But even today God only cares the most about one thing - your heart. The will to go is the most important thing for the message about Jesus’ love to keep spreading all over the world, all the way to your school.
Thoughts and doubt can and probably will arise along the way and be distracting. And it’s okay to doubt, feeling things don’t make you incapable in God’s eyes. But despite times of doubt many young christians choose to rise, make themselves heard, and share their faith in Jesus. That can happen in many different ways. Social media accounts are filled with testimonies and bible quotes, bibles are being handed out to classmates, and the Jesus centered lives of young christians peak interest from others. Dare to believe that God is with you every day. The steps you take for God are changing people’s lives!
In one way or another everyone is an underdog in the world’s eyes, and sometimes even in our own. But when you dare to go on anyway and trust that God has given you all the power you need, your actions will speak of Him. The spotlight will be aimed away from you and towards God. Dare to believe that a small, normal person like you can change the course of the future!