Is God a Clemson fan? | January 11, 2017
Last time I checked, God doesn't wear orange. But I do have a sense that God had a big smile after Dabo's victory speech Monday night.
Here's the background for you non-sports folks: Clemson played Alabama for the college football national championship on Monday night, a repeat of last year's championship. What a game. The lead changed hands three times in the final five minutes, and Clemson scored the winning TD with one second on the clock. Epic.
In typical fashion, players were quick to thank God, the victorious quarterback adding "I just know God wanted us to win this game."
Let's be honest. God probably didn't care whether Clemson won or not. Nor Alabama, the Panthers, or even the Tarheels (well, maybe the Tarheels ...)
But God must have been extremely interested in coach Dabo Swinney's comments on stage after receiving the trophy. To a national TV audience he said, "I told these guys I want the light inside of them to be brighter than the light shining on them."
It's one of the best post-game quotes I've ever heard coming from a coach who has a few things in perspective. Sure, he wanted to win .. badly. But Dabo is widely known as a coach who teaches his players to use their talents and their stage for a bigger purpose. After last year's loss he encouraged his players to pursue a greater glory than their own. This year he's reminding them that national championships come with awfully big spotlights. Let "the light within you shine brighter than the light outside of you." Good stuff.
Winning isn't everything ... although we're led to believe that it is by endless ESPN tributes, All Americans who get away with tripping, and for-profit youth sports leagues. Does God care who wins in that kind of environment? Probably not.
But surely God's paying attention when coaches, parents and players focus on glory and spotlights of a different kind.
And when they do -- as they did on Monday night -- who knows, maybe he adds an extra shade of orange to the sunrise. Just maybe.
Peace+
Pastor Rhodes
