David Adams was a local high school football star. His name was well know known in Tucson in the early 1980’s. He led the state in yards per carry (12.6), punt returns (8.7) and kickoff returns (38) in 1980 and was named player of the year by the local newspaper.
However, David Adams was not very big. He was physically strong and very fast but he was not very big for a running back. When he graduated from high school many football fans thought that David should get a scholarship to play at the University of Arizona in Tucson. It would be a great story for a local high school football star to play for the local university. But most of the coaching staff at the U of A thought he was too small to compete in a major college program. Only one coach thought they should offer David a scholarship – the head Coach Larry Smith.
David did get a scholarship to the U of A and had a remarkable college career. He became one of the greatest running backs in U of A history. In his senior year, David led the PAC-10 conference in rushing yards (1,175). After graduation, David was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts to play in the NFL. I did not know David Adams personally but I remember the excitement he brought to the football program at the University of Arizona.
There is a similar story in the Bible about another man named David. He also seemed to be too small to compete in a critical contest against a huge opponent named Goliath. King Saul and his staff thought David was too young and inexperienced to face the giant Philistine. But while other men fled in fear, David was confident he could defeat the enemy with God’s help and he did! (First Samuel 16).
I wonder how often we dismiss people because of their age, size or inexperience. When I looked for men to fill leadership positions in our church, I often passed over some because I thought they were too busy or not qualified to serve. However, the leader of our Women’s ministry had a different perspective. She went through the church directory and enlisted the help of every woman in our church. Her approach was different. She didn’t look at reasons why they could not serve. She found a place for every woman to serve in our Women’s program.
Let me encourage you to see the potential in people. Don’t assume they can’t succeed. Don’t dismiss them because of their size, age or inexperience. Look for ways that they can succeed with God’s help. You will be glad you did and they will too!
You can read more stories and articles by Mark Hopper in his book Let Me Encourage You. It contains 365 more stories and articles (one for every day of the year). You can purchase a book for $20 plus postage ($5). Oder your copy today at markh@efreedb.org.
Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper 