The Transcendent Game

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.