God Loves Underdogs | C. Shane Reese | January 2025
Jan 15, 2025
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C. Shane Reese, President of Brigham Young University, shares insights on overcoming challenges through faith. He reflects on his own underdog journey, emphasizing resilience and divine support. The discussion highlights unlikely victories, such as the BYU football team's successes, as examples of faith in action. Reese inspires listeners to become miracles for others, illustrating the transformative power of kindness with stories from the BYU community. He encourages embracing service and faith to create a positive impact.
God's grace empowers individuals to overcome challenges and achieve success through belief, determination, and divine support.
Acts of kindness and community connection can transform lives, illustrating the profound impact of compassion in overcoming personal obstacles.
Deep dives
Celebrating Faith and Milestones
The address emphasizes the significance of the upcoming 150th anniversary of Brigham Young University, highlighting the importance of the university's mission to be a Christ-centered institution. The speaker calls on the university community to focus on the light that each individual brings as they embark on this new chapter. Anticipation is built for the historic celebrations planned for later in the year, fostering a sense of unity and purpose. The excitement reflects not just a celebration of history, but also a call to action for students and faculty to exemplify the spiritual and academic values the university represents.
God Loves Underdogs
The speaker shares personal experiences from his academic journey, highlighting the challenges he faced and the unexpected progress he made, which aligns with the theme of divine support for underdogs. By referencing instances of come-from-behind victories in BYU sports, he illustrates how seemingly impossible situations can lead to remarkable outcomes through faith. The message asserts that with God's help, individuals can achieve success against tremendous odds, reinforcing the idea that belief and determination lead to miracles. This perspective serves as both empowerment and encouragement for students to embrace their own underdog narratives.
Being a Miracle for Others
The address encourages individuals to act as miracles in the lives of those around them, promoting the notion that simple acts of kindness can have profound impacts. By sharing specific examples from a UNIV 101 course, the speaker illustrates how peer mentorship and support can transform a student's experience, highlighting the importance of community and connection. The story of a struggling first-generation college student emphasizes the power of compassion and collaboration in overcoming personal challenges. Ultimately, the speaker calls on listeners to embody the teachings of Jesus Christ by serving others, reinforcing that miracles can emerge from genuine care and faith.
With God’s grace we can overcome the impossible. We experience His grace—and more miracles—when we choose to be a miracle for someone else. C. Shane Reese, president of Brigham Young University, delivered this devotional address on January 14, 2025. You can access the talk here.