From the Bottom to the Top!

I don’t know about you, but Sunday night’s game between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles was an exciting one! Honestly, my team wasn’t in it (Dallas Cowboys for life :)), however, I cheered for Philly because I was sick and tired of Tom Brady winning!  No, I am not hating on this man’s skills, but my goodness, he won 5 rings already right?  I admire the resilience, tenacity, and confidence that Philly had.  They knew they were the underdogs!  They knew that they were counted out!  Yet, and still they played the game as if they had won the championship already! I cannot forget how when they were interviewed, from the Coach to the MVP, they gave glory to GOD on national television!!

I notice when football teams play they either do well in the first half and poor in the second and lose the game, or they do horrible the first half and come back in the second half and win the game!  Philly pushed their way each quarter and did not get comfortable when they were in the lead.  They did not slack off and become proud or arrogant as if Tom Brady wasn’t going to do what he does best!

I begin to think about my life, how many times have I been the underdog or counted out?  How many times have you?  Did it stop you from doing what you were suppose to do?  Did you press past the naysayers and were confident that you were fully capable and equipped to complete the task?  I know that I have! I will never forget being offered my current position at work and hearing the negative comments and naysayers.  Honestly, I got mad, but God had to remind me that He called me and those he called he qualified, and those he qualified, he justified, and those he justified, he glorified! (Romans 8:30) I had to push past the comments, push past the naysayers, and trust that God would work through me to show others that He is sovereign, that he blesses, promotes, and shows his favor on who he chooses!  Guess what, he is doing this right now! To God be the glory!

It reminds me of the story of David.  David was a shepherd boy and the youngest of eight to his father, Jesse.  When the decision for a King of Israel was needed, his father, Jesse showed Samuel, the Prophet, only seven of his sons.  However, Samuel said, “…Neither is this the one THE LORD has chosen.” (1 Samuel 16: 9 NLT)

One thing I have learned on my journey of faith is that God is not concerned about our looks or our actions, but our hearts!  Our actions should reflect the love that we have for Him. “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them.  People judge by outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16: 7)

Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied.  “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said.  “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” So Jesse sent for him.  He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he brought and anointed David with the oil.  And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on…” (1 Samuel 16: 11-13).

It is clear that Jesse considered all of his sons but little David, the shepherd boy.  Could it have been that Jesse thought that the looks, stature, age, etc. of his sons “QUALIFIED” them to be a KING? Isn’t this how it is today? Backgrounds, culture, race, gender, status, education “qualifies” someone to be in a position.  Now, don’t get me wrong, there is a need for qualifications for certain positions, but I know for a fact that you don’t “have” to have what society says you should have in order to do the job effectively!  David was who God chose to be King despite his current position.  God qualified David to be King of Israel because he knew he would get the glory!

So what does this have to do with football?  What does it have to do with Eagles winning against the Patriots?  David succeeded as King of Israel!  He had challenges, he made mistakes, but he did well as King..and our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST was a part of his lineage!  David, the Eagles, and many of us are considered by society, friends, and families as being the black sheep, underdogs, cast aways, and unimportant.  But if you are alive, you have a purpose and once you find your purpose, with God’s leading you can and will succeed!  Not to show other’s that they were wrong, but to show how God can use the humble, the meek, the unwanted, the unimportant, to glorify HIM!  He will set you up high to prove to everyone that it is He who exalts, qualifies, and gives victory too!

As David started from a Shepherd boy’s status to King of Israel, and the Philadelphia Eagles started from zero Super bowl rings, to taking the crown from the New England Patriots, so will you go from the bottom to the top all to give God the glory!

Love, Ashley Nicole