1608) I’ve always had a heart for the underdog. In my teaching career spanning 38 years (so far), the kids who are the underdogs pull at my heart. I’m sure there are many reasons for this, but I guess it mostly comes down to the fact that I know what this feels like.

Underdogs often look like the young shepherd, David, when he boldly steps forward to fight (and defeat) Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:45-50. It seems clear these people are out of their element and the situation looks “impossible” in spectators’ eyes, but there is another type of underdog most people do not see.

These underdogs look successful to others. Look at her, she’s taught almost 40 years. She’s got a Master’s degree. She married well. She’s signed with a publisher. SHE cannot be an underdog. And yet, when I look in the mirror, I know better.

I know that teaching for almost 40 years has been a touch and go accomplishment. There have been days when I’ve walked into a classroom and felt so inadequate I wanted to turn around and walk back out. While completing my graduate work, I always questioned whether it was possible to handle all the course requirements and teach full time. Looking at my sleeping spouse, I acknowledge the struggles we’ve gone through and wonder how we’ve reached this stage in our marriage. I keep looking at file after file of my stories, books, and articles, only to receive rejection after rejection from agents and publishers. These are the things that stir the waters of feeling like an underdog.

The good news is, no matter how you see yourself and what you have done with your life (or haven’t done), God loves using the underdog to do his work. Why? Because then it’s clear, we underdogs aren’t doing it of our own strength. God is doing it.

Whether we assume someone is an underdog or not, realize what we see in others doesn’t include much of their personal history and information. Because of this, perhaps there are many of you who also belong in this category.

Rejoice, God loves to use the underdogs.