Facing the Unbelievable

The story you are about to read is almost unbelievable. It is about a young man named Kyle Maynard a regular guy with a love to compete. That fire to compete helped him to contend for the Georgia state high school wrestling championship in 2004. So what, my friends, friends, brothers cousin did that! Well the one thing that set Kyle apart was he was born with no arms or legs. His arms ended at his elbows and his legs at his knees. Now that's what set Kyle Maynard apart from everyone he wrestled. Kyle had a wonderful break in life; he had a mom and a dad that were determined to raise a normal child. That's right I said normal! They insisted that he learn to feed himself and play with the other kids like any other child would do. His grandmother was a source of inspiration too and would often take him to the grocery store where she would instill a sense of confidence by encouraging him to sit up and look folks in the eye and smile. Kyle was fitted with prosthetic devices at a young age, but realized that they were too restrictive. He wanted to be free to play just like the other kids and those devices kept him from doing so. Sounds like David when he faced Goliath, King Saul gave David his armor to wear but David said

1Samuel 17:38  And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

1Samuel 17:39  And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

 Kyle started wrestling in the sixth grade. He lost his first 35 matches in a row. But Kyle dug deep and found the confidence to continue; remember Kyle didn't like losing. One might say he should be thankful for just being able to do what he is doing. No! Kyle was not just satisfied with being on the team he wanted more. With the support of his father and a former wrestler, he learned to train with weights and became very strong and learned some moves unique to his strengths. Kyle won 35 times on the varsity squad and qualified for the state championship. In the state tournament, Kyle won his first three matches and had to face his final opponent with a broken nose. Kyle did not win the state championship. Kyle graduated high school and went on to wrestle at the University of Georgia where he inspired others. You see ladies and Gentlemen it's not what happens to YOU, but how you react to it that matters. So, tell me again what's going wrong in your life? Anyone can quite, give up and many do they say I just can’t go on or I’ve had it I’m done. What type of attitude is that? It’s an attitude that is depending totally upon you; read and understand. David took HIS staff, David Chose HIMSELF five smooth stone, David put them in HIS shepherd’s bag and HIS sling was in his hand. David has prepared himself for the battle that he was facing but what he says next tells me where his strength was and it wasn’t in himself.  

1Samuel 17:45  Then said David to the Philistine, (Goliath) Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

1Samuel 17:46  This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

1Samuel 17:47  And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

If you are trying to figure it all out; what’s our next move, where do we go from here? Stop and ask yourself are you depending on you and what you can do or are you depending on God and what God can do through you.

Don’t forget to get to Church early so you can get a good seat up front; I’m sure you don’t want to miss out on anything.