Spiritual Formation | 2/6/2026 2:59:00 PM
Written by: Maci Cunconan
"The LORD turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?'" — Judges 6:14
Have you ever felt completely unqualified for something God seemed to be calling you to do? I sure have. One of the biggest leaps of faith in my life was deciding to transfer to Lipscomb after my time at Oklahoma State. From the outside everything seemed perfect at OSU, but something wasn't right. I felt disconnected, inadequate, and honestly, afraid that no matter where I went, I'd never truly belong.
That's exactly where Gideon was in Judges 6. When God found him, he wasn't confidently preparing for battle—he was hiding, threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. He was literally trying to stay out of sight. Yet amazingly, God addresses this hiding man as a "mighty warrior." Talk about a case of mistaken identity! But God wasn't mistaken. He saw what Gideon could become through faith.
Entering the transfer portal felt like stepping into a complete unknown. I had to have faith that the place God was leading me to would be good, even though I had no guarantees. What if I didn't fit in at Lipscomb either? What if my new teammates didn't accept me? What if I was making a huge mistake?
When God told Gideon to "go in the strength you have," Gideon immediately pointed out all the reasons he wasn't qualified: "But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." Sound familiar? I had my own list of reasons why I might fail again.
Faith isn't about having certainty. It's about moving forward even when you don't.
When I finally arrived at Lipscomb, I had to have faith that my teammates would accept me after not feeling like I fit in at my previous school. I remember walking into team meetings those first few weeks, heart pounding, wondering if I'd ever truly feel part of the team. But each small step of faith—joining a teammate for lunch, sharing during team gatherings, continuing to say yes when invited—built upon the last until suddenly, I realized God had answered my heartfelt prayer for community.
Since graduating from Lipscomb, I've faced many more Gideon moments—times when God has called me to things that felt beyond my ability. Each time, I've had to choose: will I focus on my inadequacies or on God's sufficiency? Will I hide in the winepress or step out onto the battlefield?
The beautiful thing about faith is that it doesn't require us to have it all figured out. Gideon asked for signs, expressed doubts, and still struggled with fear even after God's clear calling. Yet God used him powerfully. His faith wasn't perfect, but it was present.
Your time as a Lipscomb athlete is preparing you for things you can't even imagine yet. The discipline, perseverance, and teamwork you're developing aren't just for winning games—they're forming the faith muscles you'll need for whatever God calls you to next.
When I look back at my Lipscomb journey, it began with that terrifying leap of faith to transfer schools. I had to trust that God was leading me somewhere better, even when I couldn't see the outcome. That decision taught me that faith often means taking the next step without seeing the entire staircase. And now, looking back, I can see how God was working in ways I couldn't have imagined when I first arrived in Nashville.
So the next time you feel uncertain about where God is leading—whether it's a new role on your team, a challenging major, or a relationship that requires vulnerability—remember Gideon. Remember that God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called. And His simple question still echoes today: "Am I not sending you?"
If there is one thing I can encourage you with... it's to keep moving even in the absence of certainty!
Questions to Consider:
- What is God calling you to right now that makes you feel inadequate or uncertain?
- How might your current challenges as a student-athlete be preparing you for future leaps of faith?
- What's one small step of faith you could take this week, even without complete certainty?
- When have you experienced God's faithfulness after stepping into uncertainty?
- Who in your Lipscomb community could support you as you navigate uncertainty?
