All Glory to God: When Football and Elections Intersect

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - Thessalonians 5:16-18

In September of 2020 I had the privilege to fly up to Washington D.C. and pray for our country with Franklin Graham and hundreds of thousands of others.  We prayed for peace, reconciliation, compassion and kindness to cross our land.  We prayed for the elected officials, and law enforcement.  We prayed for people to come to know Christ, for communities and families.

Standing behind me in this picture is the Washington Monument.  Standing at 555 Feet tall it was the tallest structure in the world upon its completion in 1884.  On the very top there is an aluminum cap noting dates, but the most importantly is the inscription facing the east toward the rising sun.  "Laus Deo" Latin translated to "Praise be to God."  Praise be to God indeed, whose name is higher than the rising sun.

Can we learn to say that on both sides of the aisle in politics?  I learned something that day, albeit more so inherited peace in the day of prayer.  In that moment aisles and sides didn't matter.  I was praying for God's Sovereign will to be done.  Whatever happened, All Glory to God! As Paul says to the Ephesians, 

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."




This past Saturday afternoon (11/05) #1 Tennessee Volunteers (GO VOLS) took on #3 Georgia Bulldogs.  It was a tough game for the Vols. Georgia is a strong team.  They are more established with each other and their coach.  They definitely had a lot of advantages.  One of Tennessee's Offensive Lineman is Cooper Mays who has deep family ties to the Orange giving true meaning of VFL (Vol For Life).  His Father played that position at Tennessee, as well as his brother Cade.  He and Cade actually got to play together at Tennessee before Cade was drafted this year for the Carolina Panthers.

Tennessee fell to Georgia with a final score of 13-27 knocking Tennessee from #1 to #5.  At the end of the game Cooper sent out this Tweet:


What happens when we don't get that big win in our life?  Promotion, election win, relationship, football...Can YOU say this?  Praise Him when we win, and praise Him when we lose.  That's the playbook for this life, that's the perspective of the Living Above the Sun, and living for the Kingdom.  We are doing this life thing to the glory of God.



Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 7, 2022 at 7:40 AM

    Great way to start my morning. Thanks for that.

    ReplyDelete

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