But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see
things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
– 1 Samuel 16:7

As coaches we are always evaluating. “He’s too small…too short…can’t play…will never survive!” Players sometimes don’t fit our standard and are overlooked for playing time or even making the team. In an age when quarterbacks are 6’4” and defensive linemen weigh 300 pounds, we often thumb our noses at players we don’t think can get the job done. One of the best players on the field in the last two National Championship games was an undersized wide receiver who played like an All-American. Clemson University’s Hunter Renfrow is listed as 5’11”, but is probably closer to 5’9”. To reach his official weight of 180, one of the Tiger’s linemen would need to have his foot on the scale. As a freshman walk-on, Renfrow barely lifted 135 pounds, but his teammates quickly learned that the little guy could play! Refrow caught the winning touchdown pass, with one second remaining, in Clemson’s 35-31 victory over Alabama in this year’s National Championship game. Following the game, an NFL scout said, “Playing like he did twice against Alabama, against a defense full of guys who will be playing at this level, and consistently getting open and making plays, you better believe he has grabbed our attention.”

God saw something special in a young boy that no one else could see. David grabbed His attention! He didn’t look like a king! David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons and only a shepherd. His outward appearance didn’t make David a likely candidate for God’s Army. The difference was his heart for the Lord. Man only saw a young shepherd boy, but God saw a man after His own heart. God is always looking for people He can use to do His work. To God, our heart condition is much more important than our physical condition. Coaches love athletes with heart and so does God.

Heavenly Father, help me today to cast aside my limitations. Help me to see that great things can be accomplished when I seek to do them for Your honor and glory. Amen.