Life is full of the “least likely.” The shortest basketball player to play in the MBA is Muggsy Bogues. This 5’3’’ man played in 889 games for 14 seasons. Bogues had career averages of 7.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists.

As a leader I look at most things as an opportunity. The first step is to have a clear, written purpose…the “WHY,” something needs to be done. To make the opportunity a success I normally go through several processes. One of the major processes is SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities & Threat). This process leads me to who needs to be on the team (strategic skill sets), what resources will be required. Then it’s time for the strategic & tactical plans and finally the launch.

For most people this sounds boring…but it is essential…but is it? The more I study God, the more I know and recognize His Attributes & patterns, and I am blow away.

The Bible reveals God’s miraculous plan and how He has fulfilled His plan from Genesis to Revelation. He is the Promise Keeping God Almighty. I get this, but then God picks the most unlikely people, places, events, and times to fulfil His Promises. While I look for the most likely people, places events & times for success, God does the opposite.

Take Noah, a guy that had never seen a boat. God commissioned him to build the Ark. God gave Noah specific plans that would eventually carry an estimated 7,000 different animals through the greatest storm earth has ever seen. There was the shepherd boy who God handpicked to become a mighty king. The process for David to become king was running for his life from King Saul for years. When he became king the challenges, the choices & the consequences became even greater. Through it all he loved God. God described David this way in Acts 13:22 “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” From David’s heart we have many of the Psalms.

2 Samuel 7:8 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth….”16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’” God fulfilled His Promise when Jesus was born.

The Bible is full of “least Ilkley’s,” Abraham, Moses, Nehemiah, all the Disciples and Paul. Paul the Jewish leader that hunted and persecuted the followers of Jesus. Paul the Apostle, the one who wrote much of the New Testament, relentlessly planted churches while being jailed, stoned, mocked, and later executed. And then there is John. John, a fisherman, known as one of the “Sons of Thunder” was at Jesus’ side during all the miracles, the Transfiguration. John was one of three Jesus invited to pray with him before He was taken to be crucified. Jesus chose John from the cross to take care of His mother, not His brothers. Incredible. But yesterday in our Bible Study of Revelation, what struck me was God did it again. I call it His “Watch This” Attribute. God chose John to write the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation. If I were going to commission someone to write an inspiring and visual summary found in Revelation, I would not have sent a persecuted fisherman to a prison on an island where people went to die. But God did.

John had no idea what was going to happen…but he kept His eyes on Jesus. So, are you like one of the “least likely” found in the Bible. I bet you are. Stop focusing on the conditions, other people, and the timing. Put your eyes on the only Hope, Jesus. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26. Now is not the time for excuses. Now is the time for bold actions for the One who will return, Jesus.

Jesus said, “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” Revelation 3:11 Until He comes, we are to boldly tell the Good News.