It took a
long time for the good stuff to happen—Pete Carroll
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen—Hebrews 11:1
This is the story of a game that for a moment in time was
more than just a game. It was a game that became a divine experience felt by
people throughout the Pacific Northwest. And during circumstances that appeared
bleak, God chose to reveal something about faith, hope, and perseverance. But
this went beyond mere metaphor or sports analogy cliché. This was a supernatural
spiritual experience with God being directly involved.
I felt my character being tested during this championship
game. The offense had dug an enormous hole for the team by giving up five
turnovers to Green Bay. Suddenly a team that had brought so much excitement and
unity to our region was losing badly, and in a highly uncharacteristic manner. I had been to church that morning so I began to
think about priorities and what was really important in life. I told myself the excitement was over and now
back to reality. But it was still tough because in a world that is so tainted this
Seahawks team offers something different. Not just because they win at their
sport but because they are a team made up of players not considered worthy by
the system they are in. And these are exactly the types of people God likes to use for His
purposes-- But God has chosen the foolish
things of the world to put to shame the wise…--1 Cor.1:27.
For many of us the Seattle Seahawks are a temporary
respite from an unjust world, where it’s hard to find unity or joy. But now
their charm, magic, grit and resolve appeared to have left them. But this is
where the story takes a peculiar turn and where God chose to intervene in a
mere game to show us something of the nearly miraculous.
Both the Seahawks defense and running back Marshawn Lynch
played like the warriors they are. It was the offensive side of the ball that
dug an enormous hole for this team by giving up five turnovers. In particular
the burden of this game was on the quarterback Russell Wilson and receiver Jermaine
Kearse because it was those two who were involved in 4 of the 5 turnovers for
the Seahawks. So it became fitting that the two would be involved in the very
last throw and catch dagger in overtime that would win the game.
This was a highly unlikely outcome according to statisticians,
who gave the Seahawks about a 4% chance of winning the game under the
circumstances. And what amazes me is it
wasn’t just the belief, faith, hope and tenacity of a few players. The team as
a whole had to keep fighting through the adversity despite mounting evidence
their season was coming to an end.
As the game ended I began to feel something transcendent had
occurred. Generally as a Christian we are wary not to understand things
according to our feelings, but in this instance I was ‘feeling it’ on a
profound level. And I knew Russell Wilson and Jermaine Kearse were feeling
God’s faithfulness as well. I knew this by the way they were crying
uncontrollably after the win; which was uncharacteristic for both of them.
Kearse is typically stoic and tough, while Russell is always composed and likes
to speak in clichés. But I also knew something extraordinary had occurred by
the reaction of so many of the Seahawks players who were speechless not just
after the game but the next day as they tried to process and characterize what had transpired. I began to
realize others were experiencing this as well when a Christian friend called me
to talk about it afterward; and I got confirmation on the God inspired event from
a few more Christians at my school.
Why was God’s hand on this game? The player whom I’ve come
to regard as the philosopher of the Seahawks—Earl Thomas—just a few weeks prior
said that God’s hand was on this team. Many of the Seahawks players are people
of real faith who regularly use their platform to give glory and praise to God.
Jermaine Kearse, who caught the game winner, went to church after the game! While a lot of worldly success (even in ‘team’ sports) is driven by ego
and selfishness; the head coach of the Seahawks Pete Carroll said the players
learned this year what it truly means to be a team. And this is what the Body of
Christ is: individual talents and distinctiveness used for the team. The whole
is greater than the sum of its parts.
This championship win was more than a typical sports
metaphor. God chose to show up for this game
and the Seahawks proved they are a team with mature character traits that bring good
things for those who believe. And God showed Himself faithful to the faithful by transcending a bad circumstance and using unlikely people to accomplish this amazing, unlikely victory. This was merely a moment in time; but it was also a lesson in how to get transformed by a God that deeply loves and cares for us all. And even though It took a long time for the good stuff to happen
we have hope and victory because of Him.
