May God Be Glorified

A VIKINGS FAN’S PRAYER

My interest in the Vikings really took off the first season Brett Favre started as their quarterback. At that time, I had two kids under two, so this was a way to escape the happenings of diaper changing, nursing, laundry, etc. and focus on something that was totally different than my day to day.

Up until this point in my life, I could not have cared less about the Vikes’ antics on or off the field. But, in the beginning of the 2009 season, my husband did not quite know what to do with my new found interest in the game. Without much effort, we quickly locked into a groove and those three hours every Sunday became our time together, essentially our weekly date.

Fast forward a few years…

In the fall of 2017, I began to pray, “May God be glorified” for many situations and I started praying that way for the Vikings. As a Vikings fan it is easy to walk away heartbroken. For that season, I was determined to see things from heaven’s perspective.

I believe that God does not care who wins or loses. He has children on both teams. What I believe is that He cares to see His children engage in ways that glorify His name.

I was on the lookout. 

My life verse is Colossians 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” I pray and watch for ways God is at work in situations. Next I thank Him for what I see, no matter what. I was bound and determined to apply this to the Vikings’ season. Let me tell you, this was one fun ride the Lord had me on. 

MINNEAPOLIS MIRACLE

In the divisional round of the playoffs of 2018, the Vikings played the Saints. In the fourth quarter, they were losing and it was painful to watch. During one of the commercial breaks I left the room to talk with God. I asked Him a number of questions about the game and what He was doing.

During our conversation I heard Him say,

“The Vikings will win tonight, but will lose next week.”

I was not sure what to think. Could that be God telling me the future? 

CHANGING GOD’S MIND?

At that time, I was learning about how people in the Bible prayed and asked God to change His mind (Genesis 18-19, Exodus 32:14, Isaiah 38:1-5, Jonah 3:10). Every time God changed His mind it was in favor of humanity, rather than against it, which I found fascinating. These instances often involved a conversation with God. It showed a depth, an intimacy, where they were real with God. They could share their heart fully with Him and God would respond in love.

So why not me? What would it look like if I expected God to respond to my questions or even change His mind?

We have a God that is all about intimacy. He doesn’t want us to hold anything back. He is Abba, our Father, our Daddy. Wouldn’t any good father want their children to be honest and share their heart’s desire with him? To be REAL with him? Ultimately, God has the final say, but in the spirit of growing in intimacy…why not seek Him out and ask?

Was this one of those opportunities? Could I change God’s mind about the outcome of the game? I mean, He already knew my heart’s desire…for the Vikings to win a Superbowl. What could it hurt? He can always say “No,” right?

First I wanted to see what would happen with the Saints.

THE PLAY

With just 10 seconds left on the clock, the Vikings were down 23-24. My husband laughed at me because of how I sat on the couch and what my facial expression looked like – dejected and mad. He now kicks himself because he should have taken a picture. He had no clue that I thought I heard the Lord tell me that the Vikings would win the game. To me, that was more important than anything the Vikings did on the field. My faith in hearing God’s voice was about to take a nosedive. 

The ball was snapped and Case Keenum threw the ball to Stefon Diggs for the play that will forever be known as the “Minneapolis Miracle.”

My heart jumped through my chest and I leapt out of my seat. Kevin and I were jumping up and down, screaming so loudly that our youngest began to cry (whoops). It was one of the best moments ever as a Vikings fan. 

Then, to sit there and watch how the Vikings players reacted was amazing.

Case Keenum was interviewed right after the play and was asked if this was the best day of his life. He said it was the 3rd best day, because the first was the day he accepted Jesus Christ, the second was they day he married his wife, and this was the third. 

NO WAY, GOD! You are being glorified in this outcome! 

I realized then that instead of praying to change God’s mind about the outcome of the next game, I should just open my eyes to see what God was going to do. How was He going to be glorified because of the outcome of the game?

This was FUN!

AFTER THE LOSS

The day of the NFC championship game, I had this sense of dread that I was going to watch the Vikes lose. I am not going to lie. I turned the game off early because I was disappointed. Kevin, however, kept watching.

Yes, the Vikings lost.

However, Kevin filled me in on how the Eagles players gave glory to God after the game against the Vikings and for the next week, Kevin continued to share with me ways the Eagles glorified God in their stories.

He kept reminding me that I prayed this way and he wanted to make sure I did not miss what the Lord was doing.

GOD GLORIFIED

Right before the Super Bowl, Kevin came to me with an article on how Foles, the Eagle’s quarterback, was in seminary and wanted to be a pastor after the NFL and wanted to work with high school students.

I had to humbly look at my attitude about the Vikings’ loss and say thank you to the Lord for the platform He had given Foles by advancing to the Super Bowl. Honestly, I did not want to watch the Super Bowl, but I did. I mean, there is more to the Super Bowl than football, right? 

Here is a list of what I saw and how God was glorified:

• The Minneapolis Miracle play was called “7 Heaven”.
• Case was repeatedly asked about his top three days in interviews that followed all week.
• Case was given the “Uncommon Award” from Tony Dungy and was able to tell his story on other platforms.
• The kicker from the Saints was the only player that came out to finish the last play of the game after his whole team went back into the locker room. Because of this act of sportsmanship, the people of Minnesota decided to bless his charitable foundation in Louisiana.
• Nick Foles was given an incredible platform for after he leaves the NFL and to use his seminary degree.
• Word got out about an Eagles player getting baptized in a hotel pool before a game during the season and other players being baptized at the practice facility.
• Carson Wentz, who also is the Eagles quarterback, personal slogan is “audience of one.” It is a reference to playing for God.

If you know of other situations that glorified God because of the outcome of these games, please let me know. I would love to include them here and add them to the list. I am all about giving God glory for His miraculous works.

Thank you, Jesus! Thank you for hearing my prayer and wanting me to share my heart with you AND ultimately knowing what is best. Thank you for bringing your Glory into any situation. It is fun to see you in action.

When we put our focus on what the Lord is doing in ANY situation, our view of the world changes. I still struggle to do this. It is not easy, but when I do it, oh man! Life becomes more fun!

CHALLENGE FOR THE NEW YEAR

• Do you need to adjust your view?
• What situations in your life do you need to look at from God’s perspective?
• How can you find the good in any situation?
• Look for ways God is glorified.

Let me know. I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below or reach out through my CONTACT page.

ONE MORE VIDEO…

The Minneapolis Miracle is now included in the top 100 greatest plays in the NFL, it is ranked #9. Take a look at the highlight video.