(Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)
I literally just finished watching the Stanford Cardinal’s decisive dismantling of Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. And it was unlike anything I’d ever seen in sports. No lie. Being an avid fan, sure I’ve watched proverbial beat-downs. Certainly I’ve seen great play from individual athletes and teams alike. But never have I witnessed anything like Monday night’s poignant display of precision, trust and camaraderie in Miami. It left me speechless. Well, almost.
I went to bed with visions of blitzing linebackers and touchdown-scoring tight ends dancing in my head. And I couldn’t erase the images of what I’d beheld. It wasn’t just another football game. Not in the least. It was a metaphor. A metaphor of how it’s all supposed to be, how the Christian life should be characterized but so often isn’t. At the expense of being a tad melodramatic—it was inspiring. So I had to get up and write it down.
Briefly, here’s what I saw (with our take-aways in parentheses):
--Respect for the game (respect life; to be able to live at all is an honor)
You could tell Stanford’s coach, Jim Harbaugh, made sure it was engrained in every player on his 107-man roster. These young adult men emanated respect and class. They were obviously thrilled even to have the opportunity to play. Are you honored to be breathing?
--Love for the Cardinal name, above that for the one on the back of the jersey (love Him over yourself, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength…this is foundational)
At the root of all the Stanford players did was a genuine love for their school. It, too, was readily apparent. They played their butts off, they left it all on the field—all the sports clichés were justified. And they did it for the Stanford name. Do you love His Name? A better question: is the love of His Name at the root of all you do?
--Sound preparation (know God’s playbook for Christian living, and know it really well)
Almost every player interviewed after the game referenced the weeks of preparation leading up to the contest. They had put in the time and made the effort to ensure they were completely ready. Are you prepared to engage a ruthless adversary? Gotta know the Word, and wield that Sword.
--Trust in the game plan…especially in adversity (have faith in His perfect will…it will be done!)
Despite some hiccups in the first half, the Cardinal maintained focus, didn’t panic and, ultimately, trusted their Coach’s game plan. And it paid off. God’s got the plan to win. It’s flawless. Trust it through thick and thin.
--Persistent pursuit (understand that this life is a marathon…and keep running until the end)
Stanford scored a barrage of points in a relatively short timeframe in the second half…but they didn’t let up. Not until the last second ticked off the clock. Like Paul implored, run in such a way as to get the prize. And don’t pull up until your chest breaks the tape.
--Precise execution (let the truth truly free you to live righteously)
The difference between a close opening 30 minutes and a dominating second half? Execution. Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck made mention of this in his postgame remarks. The plan was in place. The schemes were sound. The plays were properly called. The routes were precise. So it was a matter of making the throws. Luck did. Time and again. There comes a point when you’ve just got to ‘make the throws’ and execute righteousness.
--Camaraderie within the team (the brotherhood of believers…at all personal cost, do you have your brother’s [sister’s] back?)
These guys would have died for each other. I honestly believe that. Maybe Harbaugh’s most impressive leadership success. Imagine if the Church operated like this. ‘You love Jesus? So do I!’ Can that be the ultimate tie that binds? It starts with two ropes...and one knot at a time.
--Take in the approving looks of onlookers…not for personal glory, but for needed encouragement (embrace the support of the saints, the cloud of witnesses that have gone before you)
Stanford alum lined the sideline—from Cardinal football program legends John Elway and Jim Plunkett, to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. They only thing they exuded more than class was sincere support. The Christian has faithful witness after faithful witness to whom to look. Look! And be encouraged. They were merely flawed, yet Spirit-filled humans, just like you.
--Follow your leader, no matter what (follow the Leader, no matter what)
The Cardinal players would have followed Coach Harbaugh on a long walk off a short plank. You could see it in their eyes. He had them inspired, in all the right ways (see the aforementioned examples). As set apart as Harbaugh is amongst football coaches (he’s the hottest commodity for countless college and professional coaching vacancies alike), there was, and IS, no leader like Jesus. Do you follow? Does He have your undying adherence?
--Take joy in the spoils of victory…go ahead, sink your teeth into one of those succulent oranges! (when you are more than a conqueror, take a second to savor that—it doesn’t happen all too often this side of heaven)
One of the most enjoyable sights of the night occurred on the postgame trophy presentation stage. One of the trophies had a bowl full of oranges set atop. Even in the supposed seriousness of the made-for-TV moment, Harbaugh let loose, smiling ear to ear while repeatedly tossing citrus fruit to his less-heralded players on the field below. You could tell the presenters were like, ‘Oh no, what is he doing?’ Then they realized how cool he was. And how cool that made the remainder of their presentation. To the victorious go the spoils. Life on this side of heaven can, and will, beat the Christian down. So when you, for once, hit it back, enjoy the victory. After all, you’re well aware Who enabled it.
Who knew watching the Jim Harbaugh-led Cardinal dominate a formidable adversary would be cause for such Christ-centered conclusions, right? Football fan or not, if you get the chance, watch the game tape of the 2011 Orange Bowl. It may just change your [Christian] life…to the glory of God the Father.
With that, at 2:30am I conclude my Jerry Maguire-like midnight ‘memo.’ It was a Mission Statement!
Grace to you, to be a true champion for Christ,
Voice of another
