Last One Picked? Play Anyway


by Tracie Miles
(corrected version)
I cannot tell you how many times I have been the last one picked, and I am not talking about on the playground. I’ve been passed over and underestimated. I have been looked over and unseen.
But I play anyway.
In seventh grade, I asked my teacher if I could test into taking Algebra early. I was positive Algebra would be something I could be good at. When I asked her, she turned to me and told me I was not smart enough. She didn’t even let me take the test.
The next year, I crushed my eighth-grade math class to the point the teacher would send some of the students to me with their questions when she was busy. I also averaged over 100% in my high school Algebra, Geometry and Algebra 2 classes. I also aced my college Calculus class.
I was told I wasn’t good enough, but I played the game anyway.
I have been passed over for countless opportunities over the years that I would have been more than qualified for.
Rather than being frustrated with where I’m at, I have celebrated the people that were picked. I have then put my head down, pushed through and been awarded time and time again with various Employee of the Month awards at every company I have worked for.
I was passed over for other people, but I played the game anyway.
Am I where I want to be? No, no I’m not. But I take advantage of where I’m at to do what I know I have been called to do.
I’ve been the last one picked, but I play the game anyway.
Why do I play the game anyway? Because of Jesus.
Jesus and His disciples were the last ones picked. They were the rejects and the outcasts. They were unschooled, ordinary men. (Acts 4:13) What’s beautiful about this is that their last-picked status didn’t place them at a disadvantage — it set them apart.
Have you been passed over or underestimated? Have you been overlooked or unseen? This is not a disadvantage. This is an opportunity to be set apart.
Do you feel like the last one picked? Play anyway.
By Tiffany Elder, COMPEL Training Member
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