With God we can Defy the Odds

"Samson glanced around and spotted the jawbone of a donkey. The jawbone had not yet dried out, so it was still hard and heavy. Samson grabbed it and started hitting Philistines--he killed 1,000 of them!" Judges 15:15 CEV

In an astonishing story published by Runner’s World on Sunday it was reported that Cooper Lutkenhaus ‘defied the odds’ on Sunday at the USATF Outdoor Championships, earning a ticket to the World Championships after a second-place finish in the men’s 800-meter final at Hayward Field. As a 16-year-old. As a rising high school junior. What’s crazier may have been the time: 1:42.27. It was the fourth-best men’s performance in U.S. history—by anyone. It’s currently the fifth-fastest effort in the world. Lutkenhaus’ effort, which dipped under the world standard of 1:44.50—a qualifying mark he needed if he were to finish inside the top three places—was also a new world under-18 best. It surpassed the former record of 1:44.08 which had stood since 2011 by Kenya’s Leonard Kirwa Kosencha. “Just making the team, running that fast this young, it’s special,” he told reporters afterward. 

And when it comes to defying the odds, the Bible is full of stories of men and women of all ages who, by God's mighty power, did things that seemed totally impossible too. Consider the story of Samson who single-handedly killed 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. I mean what are the odds of that? And what are the odds of glancing around and spotting the jawbone of a donkey in the middle of nowhere anyway? One that had not yet dried out and was still hard and heavy? The odds were slim-to-none of course. But God has been defying the odds since the beginning of time, constantly making a way where there seems to be no way. 

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

So if you're in a situation, or facing a problem today that seems impossible to get out of, consider the words of Mark Batterson, "Impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles." And remember that God, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us is still in the business of performing miracles... especially in the face of insurmountable odds. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many examples in the Bible of people who, by your strength, overcame impossible odds to find victory. Help us to believe that You - the God who was the same yesterday, today and forever - are still performing miracles and equipping believers to defy even the slimmest of odds today. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Be Known as a Faithful Steward

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 NIV

Over the weekend, News Center Maine posted a story titled “Record-setting triumph: Runner breaks TD Beach to Beacon 10K course record” in which they reported that “Thousands of participants and spectators made their way to Cape Elizabeth on Saturday for the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race, bringing runners from all over the world together.” They went on to say that “Over 8,000 people ran the race, professional and amateur runners alike.” But, get this. This race that benefits Best Buddies Maine, an organization that works to reduce barriers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through friendship and leadership opportunities, could never have taken place without the more than 800 volunteers that showed up, with some making their way back to Cape Elizabeth every year.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:1-8 NIV

And while all volunteers are to be commended and considered special for what they do, what makes Christian volunteers extra special is that they do what they do because they recognize they have a “gift” for serving others and put that gift into practice—knowing that “as faithful stewards of God’s grace,” they are called to use whatever gift they have received from God in service to God, as all believers are. And you can be sure that we all have “different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Some of us are called to prophesy, some of us are called to serve (providing practical help in various ways such as volunteering), some of us are called to teach, some of us are called to give, some of us are called to lead, and some of us are called to show mercy. And that’s just one of three lists of gifts!

So, determine what your gifts are and then use them to serve God by serving others my friend. You’ll not only be counted as a faithful steward of God’s grace by doing so, but will serve as an example to others of what it means to recognize that everything we have – our time, talents, and treasure – ultimately belongs to God and is entrusted to us to use for God. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that everything we have and everything we are comes from You to be used in service to You by our service to others. Help us Lord to determine what our unique gifts are that we might grow them and use them to the greatest extent for your glory. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!