Leadership Lesson – April 2025

Against All Odds

As human beings, we tend to avoid situations where the odds are stacked against us. In fact, if you ever watched the Hunger Games, their motto was, “May the odds be in your favor.” However, as followers of Jesus, we are hardly ever put into a situation where the odds are in our favor. Following Jesus, we have a completely different view of how events and circumstances stack up. We believe the impossible odds set the stage for God’s greatest miracles.

That is why He removed 9,700 soldiers from Gideon’s army.
That is why He allowed the fiery furnace to be heated seven times hotter than normal.
That is why He didn’t show up until Lazarus had been dead for four days.
That is why he waited until the flood stage to have the children of Israel cross the Jordan.

When the odds are seemingly stacked against us and we run away, it isn’t God who is incapable. It is our fear to step into what God has already prepared for us.

Remember, God is not looking for heroics; He is looking for faithfulness. That one step activates the plan of God in our lives.

From a human perspective, I know the odds may seem stacked against you; however, when you face insurmountable challenges and feel the odds are stacked against you…

Don’t look down, or you will feel defeated.
Don’t look around, or you will feel discouraged.
Look up, and you will become a conqueror.

When times are tough and you feel up against it, remember that God calls, and then equips those He calls. I like what Jim Cymbala said in his book, Fresh Wind Fresh Fire. He wrote, “I despaired at the thought that my life might slip by without seeing God show himself mightily on our behalf.”

That is rising above and stepping into what God has already prepared for us and now is waiting for us to prepare our hearts for Him to do amazing things. God bless you all as you finish this year strong in the Lord!

In His Grip,

Roland F. DeRenzo, Ed.D.