God sees Who you Can be

“The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.’” Numbers 6:11-12 NIV

In a story published by Deseret News, the following was reported: For the second time in six years, the No. 1 prep distance runner in the nation is from Utah. Danny Simmons, a veggie-eating, straight-A student who did much of his early training in the mountains of Idaho, hasn’t lost a race this season and will be the favorite at the national championships in December. Next month he will sign with BYU, currently No. 3 in the NCAA cross-country rankings… If Simmons didn’t see any of this coming, others did. When he was a freshman at Salmon (Idaho) High, his brother Johnny was a senior and broke several school records that had been untouchable for three decades. At the postseason awards banquet, the Salmon coach told the crowd, “Johnny, I hate to say this to you, but these records that you set so remarkably are not going to last very long.” Danny began breaking those records the following year, most notably running times in the 14:37-38 range on 5,000-meter cross-country courses and 9:05 for 3,200 meters on the track. 

And you know, just as Danny’s coach saw what this young runner was capable of even if Danny didn’t, the Lord sees what we are capable of—something that is illustrated in the story of Gideon, who when called a “mighty warrior” said “ Pardon me, my lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” You see, Gideon didn’t understand that, with God, he could be someone great even though others saw him as a young boy threshing wheat in a winepress. Gideon went on to fight and win numerous battles in the name of the Lord and indeed lived up to the title “mighty warrior.” 

So don’t settle for who the world says you are my friend. Through Christ every believer can be a “mighty warrior” and fulfill the calling God has given them. Remember that the next time you’re tempted to say, “Pardon me, my Lord, but how can I do what you’ve asked me to do?” and replace it with “By Your strength I can do it.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for the stories in the Bible that show how You used ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Lord, help us to remember that these heroes of the faith are people just like us who simply trusted You and stepped out in obedience.  Help us to follow their example God so that we too can be known as mighty warriors. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!