Well, the game didn’t turn out the way anyone expected. I know I expected it to be a close game that could go either way. Nope.
Eagles 40, Chiefs 22
Not a misprint, and the game was not nearly as close as the score would indicate.
But that’s sports – it builds character among other things. I subscribe to World, a Christian news magazine. Every Friday I receive an email from their arts and culture editor, currently a young lady named Chelsea Boes, not a sports fan. She wrote on Friday before the Super Bowl:
As a lifelong nerd, my core question about sports is, “Why can’t they all just get their own ball?”
Chelsea doesn’t get it, and I had to write and tell her so:
— Beginning of my email —
I know you’re trying to be cute, but you’re missing the point. Life is filled with battles, going back to Genesis 3. The Apostle Paul talked about the real battle:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6.10 – 13, NKJV)
Paul also uses sports as a metaphor for the real battle:
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9.24 – 27, NKJV)
Years ago, I taught at an Air Force leadership school where we used sports to teach a variety of lessons. On our playing field, prominently posted, was a famous quote from General Douglas MacArthur:
On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days, on other fields will bear the fruits of victory.
You don’t have to watch, but please don’t deprecate the idea of sports.
— end of my email —
I wrote yesterday that God would get a shout-out no matter who won, and I was right:
God blessed us. So I want to give thanks to him. Thank you God. Thank you, Jesus. – Philadelphia Eagles’ Coach Nick Sirianni
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. (1 Corinthians 9.24, NKJV)
Wow!! Good deal! Yes, we were crying in our proverbial beer. We so wanted Mahomes to do well. But a dose of humble pie is good, too! Not very tasty but good for us! I don’t know much about football, but I’ve grown in my ability to follow the ball and the game, thanks to all the helps on the screen!
And even sports nerds like Chelsea and I could tell the Eagle’s defense and offense owned the game! And when I was reminded this morning on some site that it was only the Eagles’ 2nd national title EVER, I was truly happy for them!
An excellent blog post as usual, Dr. Ewell. Your quote of the coach of the Eagles was thrilling to hear-and read once again. Before the Superbowl I was sent an article quoting Vince Lombardi (after whom the trophy for the winner of the game was named-The Lombardi Trophy). Here’s what Coach Lombardi said:
“Football is a great deal like life in that it teaches that work, sacrifice, perseverance, competitive drive, selflessness and respect for authority are the price each one of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”
I like that both the coach of the Eagles and the quarterback for the Eagles spoke strongly of just how how much credit goes to God and Jesus.