See that photo? That's Ken Mink, age 73, playing for Roane State Community College shooting two free throws. No, it's not a PR stunt. Or a gimmick. It's not even and intersquad scrimmage. That's Ken, at age 73, shooting two free throws during a regulation game. More importantly, it put to rest something that bothered Ken for over 50 years.See, over half a century ago, Ken was a scholarship basketball player for another college. One night, the basketball coach's office was soaped and Ken took the blame for it. For that, he lost his scholarship. No more college. No more basketball. For something his still insists he did not do.
Fast forward 50 years and Ken's want to finish out his basketball career and thirst to redeem himself led him to do something most people would either call foolish or crazy - he wrote every area college and begged them to let him try out for the team. His letter writing campaign resulted in a river of rejection letters.
Except for one, Roane State Community College.
He worked out for the coaches, practiced, learned all the plays, made the team and while coasting to victory against rival King College, Ken was given the chance to play. And that's all he wanted. One chance. Now he's on record a being the oldest person to ever play NCAA basketball (along with two points and a 100% free throw average to his credit).
Redemption. At age 73.
Now let me bring up a kid named Matt Williams. Matt was a good high school kicker but wasn't offered any scholarships to any colleges big or small. Not even a single walk-on invitation. So he attended a larger Division One Texas college, hung out with his friends and on a one-time chance, entered a contest to get one month free rent if he could hit a field goal during half time. Matt was chosen to attempt the feat and in front of a packed football stadium of rowdy college football fans on a Texas afternoon, people cheered, held their breath and watching curiously to see if a no-name kid off the street could even come close to making the field goal.
He nailed it. Solid.
His contest-winning PAT got the attention of the school's coaching staff (and fans) and now Matt is kicking for the number two-ranked football team in the nation, the Texas Tech Red Raiders. And he's still nailing 'em. Solid. Every Saturday.
He took a chance and now he's got a full-ride to Texas Tech.
Unlikely victory. For taking a chance.
In the Bible, we read stories about people who, just like Ken and Matt, took a chance and then beat the odds. Who looked at God and what God could do instead of falling into the trap of everyday mediocrity. A kid with a rock kills a trained assassin. A guy who was completely out manned and out classed in battle took on the opposing force armed with only some clay pots, torches and a few trumpets. And a Man chose twelve less-than-ordinary guys to spread His word throughout the world and through the ages.
All unlikely. All against the odds.
But that's how God works. He defies the odds and says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending". He doesn't know what defeat is. He isn't concerned about the odds or the naysayers. And loves it when His people look to Him and go "all in" on Him. His word. His will. His way.
And take a chance on Him.
So this week my prayer for you if that you not look at the odds, instead focus on God. Look to Him for His will in your life and how he wants to use you. Then let Him show you how He'll work through you and with you to not just defy the odds, but to shatter them.
Because the world is holding its breath and watching curiously to see if you can even come close to making your God-sized goals. And with Jesus beside you, trust me, you're going to nail 'em.
Solid.
