Three more high profile athletes used their platform in the Super Bowl to give God the glory for their accomplishments. What a way to use a platform! Glory!
Coach Don Pederson was coaching high school football nine years ago. Nobody would have ever given him a chance then of being a head coach of a professional team – much less winning a Super Bowl. When he held up the trophy in the post game ceremony, he was asked the question, “How did you do this?” Coach Pederson’s first response was, “It’s all because of my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and I give God all the glory!” In my book, that’s a winning play – not a trick play – a solid fundamental understanding of life and why we’re here.
Zach Ertz, who caught the winning touchdown pass, and is married to one of our U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer players, was asked what was going through his mind when his play was called at the most critical point of the game. He said, “I just knew I had to make the play and give God the glory!”
The most valuable player in the 52nd Super Bowl was Nick Foles. He was the most unlikely. He was a back-up quarterback until the franchise quarterback, Carson Wentz, went down with a knee injury. Wentz, who could be the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, is a dynamic Christian leader.
Foles was brilliant in the play offs and the Super Bowl! He went up against Tom Brady, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He matched Brady play-for-play. He was not intimidated. He performed with excellence. When Foles was handed the Most Valuable Player trophy, his first comment was, “I want to give all the glory to God!”
Foles is a devout Christian. His Twitter bio reads, “Believer in Jesus Christ, husband, father, son, brother.” Glory! He plans to enter the ministry when his pro football career ends – which I think will be delayed after his Super Bowl performance.
A few weeks ago the Eagles wide receiver, Marcus Johnson, was baptized in a North Carolina swimming pool before the playoff game against the Carolina Panthers. Foles, Ertz, Wentz, and many other team members attended. Johnson tweeted, “First time being Baptized! Corporate Worship is a beautiful thing!! Cleaned & Reborn in JESUS name!! #WholeHeartedly,” Glory! 5 other teammates were baptized last year! Glory!
This was the Eagles first Super Bowl win in franchise history. Somebody in the front office of the Eagles has done an unbelievable job of recruiting great athletes and coaches who stand for the highest form of performance and integrity. They understand life. God gets the glory.
Man’s primary purpose in life is to glorify God. Real winning in life is not about getting glory but giving God the glory. “To you alone, O LORD, and not to us, must glory be given.” (Ps.115:1)
Real strength needed to win in life comes from our relationship with God. Strength is not an external display of muscle that is the result of exercise. Real strength is an inner force that is the result of a Godly commitment, attitude, perspective and faith. That inner force is built daily. It grows by giving God the glory.
The hymn says, “To God be the glory great things He hath done.” Whatever you accomplish today and in this lifetime, don’t take an unhealthy credit for your skill and wisdom – give God the glory and use it as a platform for Him.
You can win your super bowl! Glory!
