Tonight I had the privilege of watching one of the best football games I’ve seen in a while. Now mind you it was only a college game so we’re not talking NFL caliber here, but as far as college ball goes this game was pretty good! If you didn’t see the game, I’m talking of course about the BCS national championship between number 1 Auburn and number 2 Oregon. If you missed it Auburn edged out Oregon with a clutch (and somewhat lucky) final drive ending in a quick and easy field goal to go up 22 19 on the ducks preventing overtime and securing the first national championship for Auburn in half a century. It was an emotionally charged game and tensions flared among my roommates and friends and it was a lot of fun. It was fun to watch Auburn family, fans, and teammates rejoice in victory and tough to see the dejected ducks walk away empty handed. The reason I write about this is because Cam Newton, the all-star quarterback of the Auburn Tigers took the field to shake hands and interview about the victory with an air of humility that captivated me. When asked what kept him going Cam said, “It’s a God thing. God has shown the world through me that he can take something awful and make it truly great and I consider this a blessing. I am His instrument and I am committed to spreading His word.” I love hearing things like that on national television! I saw a facebook post shortly after from a friend of a friend that said, “Where do all these football players get off claiming to be prophets? They need to read their Bibles more.” Maybe I missed something, but I didn’t see Cam’s statement as self-centered or false at all. You see, I think Cam gets it. We are made for mission. His mission happens to be football and no matter where he goes he will spread the love of Christ while playing the game. I wish that even half the Christians I knew had the same mentality.
I echo Rob’s feelings. It makes me feel a little edgy, and yet something in me can’t help but be grateful that someone is saying something. Like Paul says, motives for preaching the Gospel aren’t the issue. He says that people will proclaim for selfish reasons, but no matter what the Gospel is being proclaimed!
I’m a dejected duck :(. But more importantly, it does make me happy when athletes appear to be humble and recognize God’s strength in them. I am with Rob, I hope that it is not a show (because I know some Whitworth athletes who “show off” their Christianity). But I like this reminder that mission is wherever we are involved in life. We can’t all be Mother Teresa and we can’t all be Cam Newton, but as long as we use our gifts that God has given us for his glory, then we will be doing mission.
I wrote this one.
-Jack
Interesting…I hope it isn’t a show. We don’t need more celebrity type honking the faith and going out and doing something crazy. I appreciate it, but it makes me a bit edgy.
BTW – who wrote this one?