|
There's a short story in the Austin-American Statesman from Sunday, March 21st. The headline above was intriguing. The article tells the story of an 8-year-old Japanese mare named "Haruurara" with a losing streak that has made her famous. She has lost for the 105th time out of 105 races entered. The odds against her are 130-1.
However, in spite of her failed attempts to win, she is called Japan's most famous horse and is adored by fans. Some enterprising person has even started selling "Never Give Up" T-shirts. There are Haruurara charms for sell. Tourism offices offer package tours to watch her race and are quickly sold out. She is even featured in a television commercial.
We love the underdog (or in this case, "under-horse") don't we? We somehow relate to others who struggle to succeed. It stirs our human spirit to strive; to persevere; to go on.
It reminds me of the now famous young college student, William Hung, who said on the television show, American Idol, "I already gave my best, and I have no regrets at all." Even though Simon Cowell trashed his audition, he has won the popular vote. Not only has he made appearances on just about every talk show on television, but has his own website created by fans of William Hung and a CD deal. What a success story! We love to see losers win!
But, as sweet as all this sounds, I thought about losers who don't ever really make it. What about the ugly duckling that remains ugly. Can we relate to these as well?
The good news is that Jesus takes losers, those who are unaccepted by others, turns them into winners and accepts them when nobody else will.
Remember when he was hanging out with the wrong crowd. He was ridiculed by the religious elite of his day.
"Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man, welcomes sinners and eats with them."--Luke 15:1-2
Jesus is not ashamed to be associated with losers! He elevates us by his presence with us. The apostle Paul reminds us that Christ didn't wait until we were loved by the crowds, but when we were unloved that God stepped in the picture.
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless Christ died for the ungodly…But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."--Romans 5:6-8
There are lovable losers. Then, there are those who, by the world's standards are just losers. Aren't you glad that God accepts us all, through Jesus Christ! That's why the good news is so good!
Tom Nuckels |