Live Happy … Today – Day 9

In 2001, Goran Ivanisevic from Croatia, the 125th tennis player in the world at that stage, made history when he not only got through to the Wimbledon final with his wild card entry to the tournament, but he beat Patrick Rafter in a fierce five sets to become the new champion.

In 2012, it happened again. Until the Wimbledon men’s doubles final, few people had ever heard about Jonathan Marray and Frederik Nielsen. Their opponents, Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau, the fifth seed in the tournament, had the favour on their side. Not only had they won eight smaller tournaments in the previous two years together, but also they had only lost one set in their journey to the 2012 Wimbledon tournament. This in comparison to Marray and Nielsen, a wild card entry to the tournament and to whom this was their first tournament they ever played together. However, the Briton and Dane, Marray and Nielsen, also made history by winning the match in five sets to become the new champions.

Why do we get a warm, fuzzy feeling in our hearts when the underdog on the sports field achieves a victory? Or when a street cleaner or fruit picker’s singing talent is discovered and they receive the opportunity to present it to the world? Or when someone, in spite of a disability or doctor’s diagnosis, manages to, against all odds, still climb Mount Kilimanjaro, complete an Ironman triathlon or set a new record? Is it perhaps because it gives us hope that our dreams can also be accomplished if we continue to trust God?

In Acts 10:34 Peter says: “I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism.”

God used Moses, despite his speech impediment, to lead the Israelites from Egypt. He used Rahab, a prostitute, to play a central role in Israel’s history. He used Saul, a murderer and prosecutor of Christians, to write a large portion of the New Testament after his conversion. And guess what, God can and wants to use you too! He is only looking for a willing heart.

Therefore, never think you are not good enough, that God cannot use you. Never think he does not know about the dreams and desires in your heart – he placed them there, didn’t he? Pursue a relationship with him and trust him to direct your steps. You might just stand in amazement at what God can do in and through you, if you trust him. God bless.