thoughts on the news of the day: underdog

hmmm…..

            If you have heard of Esperanza Spaulding, please raise you hand.  I hadn’t heard of her until last night when she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.  She was an underdog among the likes of the teen sensation, Justin Bieber.  In an industry where millions of albums are sold, her jazz debut album has only sold 31,000 copies.  Her acceptance speech was gracious and humble.  She said something very charming, “I take this honor to heart so sincerely and I’ll do my damnedest to make great music for you.  It’s such an honor and God bless.”

            Why do we love underdogs?  We love seeing them overcome and become victorious, sometimes over the smallest of odds. When the unknown artist wins, we cheer.  Have you been an underdog? That feeling of being less than and not worthy is common in all of us.  Someone always looks better, is more successful, more likely to be the winner.  But all of us also overcome great odds to accomplish our goals in life.    

            Jesus was an underdog.  He came into the world a poor carpenter’s son and scrabbled with the Pharisees and rulers of his day throughout his short career.  He seemed to have been defeated but in the end, he was victorious.  No Grammy Awards were bestowed on him, he won no Oscars for Best Performance of a Savior – no, he won something far, far better for all of us – and we love him for it.

            hmmm…..