What Underdogs Need to Know
In my basement I have this comic book hanging up on the wall. Years ago, one of my children got it for me from “Free Comic Book Day.” This unique day occurs annually in May, but unless you love comic books, that’s not really important. They got it for me because they know how much I love Underdog. I’m sure fact that I drove them around to comic book stores and bought them lunch had nothing to do with them wanting to get something for their favorite dad.
As a wee lad I used to love watching Underdog on television. In the famed cartoon, humble and lovable Shoeshine Boy would rush into a telephone booth (you may have to google “telephone booth” if you’re super young!) and in that phone booth he would transform into the caped hero Underdog.
Every show would start off with a take on the well known line from Superman: “Look, up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a frog. A frog?” Then Underdog would say in his mild mannered voice "Not bird, nor plane, nor even frog, it's just little 'ole me, Underdog!”
I always loved this because I deeply related to the idea of the underdog. Even though my mother would disagree, there is simply little about me that would be considered remarkable. I have few special skills, I am funny but not hilarious, have never been naturally athletic, and by most standards am average looking at best. I was never incredibly popular growing up, and I’ve made some decisions in my life that only amplify how unremarkable I am.
Despite these things, I have been able to be part of things in this life that are remarkable, extraordinary, and irrationally incredible. When I was sixteen years old, I was invited to have a relationship with God, and everything changed from there. Somehow by His goodness I have a gracious wife and three teenage daughters who are pursuing Jesus. I have been able to serve in various ministries and seen countless lives transformed by this same God. Life is far from perfect, but I have more than I ever could deserve.
Through actually knowing God, a reality that still brings me to awe as i type it 27 years into that relationship, I have learned that GOD LOVES UNDERDOGS.
Think about it. You could go the Biblical route and come up with people like Moses, David, Ruth, Mary, Peter, all who were unremarkable in their own ways. God used them to do RIDICULOUS things in this world, and they literally were part of changing the course of history. When they know Jesus, underdogs tend to rise up.
This world loves underdogs. They ignite something in us that makes us root for them. Why do you think everyone outside of Boston spent so many years root for whoever is playing the New England Patriots? We favor the underdogs. Heck, they made eight movies about Rocky Balboa who is one of the most famous cultural examples of the underdog - and yes I’ve proudly seen them all.
Whether or not you’ve come to grips with your own status as an underdog, hear this: there is always hope for the underdog. Whether or not you’ve been able to see the gifts and abilities God’s given you, even if you’ve never had someone point out your strengths and encourage you to lean into them. If you are someone who has not been able to see past your limitations - you are still overflowing with hope.
You are loved by a God who invites you to know Him. This same God wants you to look beyond what you see and turn your eyes to Him. He is the one who causes underdogs to rise. Lean into Him. Embrace the hope that comes from this God who gets fired up when He has the opportunity to cause an underdog to rise.
I want to end by stealing parts of an expression we use at my church. (shh, don’t tell anyone)
No matter who you are. No matter where you’ve been. No matter what you’ve done. No matter what’s been done to you. God loves you. You are more than your past. You are more than your present. You are more than your future. When you lean into Jesus, there is and always will be hope for the underdog.