#YOTU

Underdogs. Cinderellas. Comeback Stories. Miracles. This world we live in loves a good story about someone or something you can rally behind. I mean just look, we finished up March Madness, a tournament solely based around “bracket busters” and watching some 15 seed, upset a 2 seed. But I want to talk to you all today about two of my favorite underdog stories. One of them is about a friend of mine and the title of this entry. And the other is a little encouragement from the Bible.

Now before I lose you on the title “#YOTU”. YOTU stands for Year Of The Underdog. A while back in my baseball career I felt like an underdog. Someone who had something to prove. And to be honest I still feel this way about where I am in my career. I know what I can do and I am striving every single day to prove that to someone who can hopefully give me an opportunity. But what YOTU is, is a saying that was told to me by a now big league pitcher and one of my best friends Wes Benjamin.

Wes and I were both living in a small two-bedroom apartment in North Carolina when we both just wanted to make a statement year about what we could do on the ball field. Honestly, what started as a joke statement, turned out to be something that has stuck with both of us for years. We both told ourselves that no matter what we did, we always needed to do more with a purpose. We needed to prove our name for ourselves that we had what it takes. Now I am not saying every underdog has a miracle type finish. But what I am saying, at least for Wes right now. That an underdog story like his has helped him get to the big leagues.

But for those of us in life that just need a YOTU moment that does not involve sports. Rather has everything to do with feeling like you just need a little extra hope. I wanted to dive into today the story of David v. Goliath.

In 1 Samuel 17, a war between the Philistines and the Israelites was waging in the Valley of Elah as both sides gathered. A champion came out of the Philistine camp named Goliath. Now let me paint a picture from verses 1 Samuel 17:4-7. Goliath was no joke, according to scripture he was roughly 10ft tall, he had armor on him that weighed 125lbs alone which means this dude was strong as an ox, and his weapon of choice was a javelin. I mean if that does not paint a pretty scary-looking warrior, I am not sure what kind of imagination you have.

On the other side of this war was an Israelite named David. David in simple terms was not a warrior at all. He was the youngest of his brothers and was left to stay home and watch his father’s sheep while the older brothers and father were at war. But when he tended the camp, he told them he was going to fight Goliath.

As he prepared to go fight, he tried on the armor, he tried on a sword. But these were too awkward for David. He was never trained in sword and shield. He told Saul, “he cannot go in these” (v.39). So David with no armor, no sword, but rather staff in his hand, five smooth stones from the stream, and a slingshot, approached the greatest champion in the Philistine camp.

Finally, what I want to say is without diving into all the detail of this story because it is very graphic. The idea of the story is David slays Goliath with a rock and sling. No armor nor sword. He proved to everyone around him who had doubts that it just took a little faith to persevere against all odds.

So what is the YOTU moment in your own life? Or David v. Goliath moment in your life? What is something that has felt like it’s impossible to overcome but all it takes is a little faith?

Just remember, this world is full of underdogs. This world is full of people who have been knocked down but refused to stay down. So use #YOTU as a reminder. Remember the slingshot and stone overcoming the sword and armor. Remember that you are the comeback story.