Praise Him, Anyway

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

When the ball was snapped he took two steps, swung his leg and made great contact with the football.  Straight as an arrow the ball went right between the uprights.  He leaped with joy, lifted his hand to heaven in praise of his Lord Jesus Christ.  But wait, no-one else was joyful.  The other team had called time-out just before the ball was snapped.  Therefore the game winning field goal was nullified, and his team still trailed 15-16, but now with only 10 seconds left.

They huddled up, same play was called.  His teammates slapped his helmet, said to him, “Just do it again.  No problem.”  They lined up in the same formation.  The ball was snapped, he took two steps, swung his leg, made good contact, but not quite as good.  The ball left his foot, and was ever so slightly tipped by a member of the other team, which caused a slight wobble and the ball traveled left.  It hit the field goal post and then fell downward to strike the cross-bar before falling back into the field of play.  He had missed it, and their season came to an end.  As his teammates gathered around to pat him on the back or shoulders, devastation was in their eyes.  Then, he lifted his head, rose his hand up and pointed to God the Father; much to the surprise of everyone watching.

Later, in an interview he was asked why?  Straight forward and clear as ever, Cody Parkey said, “It’s on me.  I let the team down, the fans down and myself.  But I’ll keep my head high, because football is what I do, it is not who I am.”  He honored God with his gesture on the field in one of the lowest points in his life, he still found a way to praise God.  This will probably cost him his job with the Chicago Bears, but that doesn’t change the truth that Cody stands on.  He fully understands that he is a child of God first and a football player second in that situation, and nothing can take that away from him.  Social media is a buzz with derogatory statements, threats, and malicious comments because many of us don’t have that same perspective.  We’ve put football on a pedestal and wrap our life around the outcome.    



It is so easy to lift a hand, point to God, and praise Him when things are going right.  After the big win, after winning an award, after a great meeting, after finishing a difficult project; we all thank God for His help.  The problem is when things don’t go our way, a loved one dies, a child leaves home, lose a job, fail a test at school, miss the easy layup to win a game, lose everything in a natural disaster, and so on.  Can you still praise God and accept His love when tragedy or loss strikes?  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to praise Him in all things.  Remember this life is only temporary.  Our eternal salvation is our goal and in that we are going to win, through Christ Jesus.

 

 

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