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Another March is gone, and the madness of the NCAA tournament is almost over. As usual, we’ve seen heavy favorites fall short and dramatic underdogs write a new Cinderella story. And as usual, we’re left in awe of a team like Florida Gulf Coast who comes out of nowhere to rock the house, and are disappointed with a storied powerhouse like Georgetown who can’t get the job done against a seemingly inferior opponent.

God loves a good underdog story. It’s like He just doesn’t want anyone out there to be happy with their brackets. He has shown over and again what He can do with a heart that is willing.

We sometimes think of God only as being loving, forgiving, kind, passive. Not as strong, powerful, active. We think of Him watching over us. But not warring with us. Yet this is the picture painted by David in 2 Samuel 22: 8-20:

…the earth shook and trembled…the foundations of heaven moved and shook…smoke went up from Him nostrils and devouring fire from his mouth…he bowed the heavens…He was seen upon the wings of the wind..the Lord thundered from heaven…He sent out arrows and scattered them, lightning bolts…

That is the power we hold inside. That is the same fuel that David used throughout his lifetime. It’s hard to think of a better example of an underdog, since every mismatch in sports history has been referred to as David vs. Goliath.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had experience as the heavy favorite who didn’t deliver, the underdog that overcame the odds AND as the underdog who got crushed because he never believed he could win in the first place. I have a well-rounded appreciation for how things can go. Regardless, I also know that the power of God is within me. I just need to tap into it.

I also gained a little perspective from this year’s tourney. I badly bruised my thigh and twisted my knee last week playing pick up basketball. It’s as close to NCAA as I will ever know. Six a.m. in the gym. I was so bummed about having to go on injured reserve, not to mention the searing pain in my leg every time I stand up. But wow, I got off easy compared to Kevin Ware of the Louisville Cardinals, now didn’t I?

For those of you who don’t watch basketball, even in March, and haven’t heard the story, here it is. With his team on the verge of making the Final Four and competing for a championship, Kevin landed awkwardly and endured one of the most sickening injuries in the history of sports. His leg literally came through the skin. Sorry for those with weak stomachs. I won’t post the video here, but just let me say that this is a great example of perspective. My throbbing knee when I stand up. His leg, shattered in front a national audience. My injury likely prevents me from a couple of weeks of semi competitive, rec center ball. His prevents him from playing for a national title, likely a dream of his since the first time he touched a basketball.

So with all that I’ll leave you with this. I just filled out my worst bracket in 20 years. But I still have a chance to win my pool as we head into the final weekend, thanks to Syracuse. That just goes to show that nothing is impossible in God, and sometimes in March.