Faith and football… by Melissa Rathmann

They each have the unequivocal power to bring people together. And when an unexpected event like the collapse of Buffalo Bills’ defensive back Damar Hamlin during last Monday night’s football game unfolded, prayer became the bridge between the two.

In the moments following Hamlin’s collapse, we witnessed his teammates and coaches take a knee to form a prayer circle on national television. We watched fans from both teams unite in the stands to recite the Lord’s Prayer. Later that evening, we saw prayer vigils form outside the hospital as Hamlin received lifesaving medical care. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky paused during NFL Live to boldly and unapologetically pray for Hamlin. Then in the following days, we watched the donations in excess of 8 million dollars pour into Hamlin’s Go Fund Me, “The Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive.”

Regardless of race, religion, or fan base, the world came together in support of Damar Hamlin.

In John 17:22-23, Jesus prayed, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity.”

When a group of believers join in prayer, it brings the unity that Christ prayed for.
The Lord himself said: “Where two or three are gathered in my name I am in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

On Saturday morning, the Buffalo Bills tweeted that Hamlin “remains in critical condition” but is “making continued progress in his recovery.” His neurological functions remain intact and he is able to breathe on his own and speak.

A miracle can be defined as an “extraordinary and astonishing happening that is attributed to the presence and action of an ultimate or divine power.” Was this a medical miracle? I am not sure. But this tragedy has the characteristics of a modern day miracle in that this event united people at a time when the world’s faith not only in God but in humanity desperately needs to be restored. The Lord used a tragedy to remind us of His presence, and the world responded in prayer.

When Hamlin asked his doctors who won the Bills-Bengals game, they responded with “You’ve won. You’ve won the game of life.” And this is nothing short of miraculous…

“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”
~ Psalm 77:14

In today’s day & age everyone is always trying to advance. Whether we want more things, more money, more time, or more friends, we are all trying to have more than what we already have.

But in reality… we already have everything we need: JESUS!!!!

When God sent His son to earth He was giving us the only thing that we needed to live. Because once someone accepts Jesus into their lives as Lord and Savior, they will live forever.

But.. how are we going to share this good news, and this great joy if we Christians in the room aren’t showing Jesus??

My question is: are you showing the joy of the Lord everywhere you go, or are you constantly trying to gain something that will never satisfy you?

If you said yes to that last part then my response is this – don’t postpone joy. Because Jesus is joy. And He is right at your fingertips if you’ll just take a hold of Him!

So many people in this world look to other things to give them joy. But Jesus is our true source of true joy.

As we go into this new year, I encourage each of y’all to look to Jesus for joy instead of earthly things. Instead of watching a show or reading a book or going out – I challenge you to pray, read God’s word, or worship when you are feeling down.

Once we start to find joy in Jesus, we can share the joy of Jesus.

So, don’t postpone joy because you can have it right now!

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:10-11

Psalm 91:1. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

As I look back over 2022 I know without a doubt how important those two verses are in my life.

This morning I finished day 75 of a read through the Bible in 90 days plan. Even though I have been pretty faithful to Bible study over the years this plan has been a game changer. It immerses you into the Word. It’s definitely a challenge to read or listen to that much everyday, but it has been so worth it.

In order to not be conformed to this world I have to diligently renew my mind. I have to dwell with the Lord and remain in His shadow. His Word is the way to get that done.

Sisters…..

Get. In. The. Word.

Don’t neglect it. Don’t take it for granted. I’m not going to get too messy, but check your screen time (🙄 preaching to self), you have time. The enemy wants us to stay out of it. He doesn’t want us to be the warriors we are called to be.

As we go forward into 2023 let’s do our part to take control of what we can control. Let’s surrender part of our day to the Word. Let’s dwell with Him and abide in His shadow. Let’s keep our minds renewed. Everything else will fall into place if we seek Him first.

Praying each and every one of you has a blessed and prosperous 2023.

If you need a Bible study partner send me a friend request on the YouVersion app.

Maggie asked me the other day if I had a New Year’s resolution.

I don’t think she knew the can of worms she was opening or the fact that she was about to get a good ol’ momma sermon.

I don’t do resolutions. That’s a whole other blog for a whole different time. But I am in a constant state of trying to be the best me that I can be.

Lets talk about that.

When you’re setting goals for the New Year are they God aligned? Are the basis of the goals God centered? Are your goals about furthering God’s Kingdom or furthering yourself?

When you’re trying to become the best version of yourself, don’t forget what that version is – God’s version. He has been creating that version since He created you inside of your mother’s womb.

If we are not aligning our goals with God-

If we are not centering our life around God-

If we’re not focused on our role in God’s kingdom-

Then we will never, ever be our best self. And that’s just the truth.

This year I pray you set the goals. I pray you achieve the goals. And I pray you see God’s hand in all of it – each step of the way.

I love December 26th.

Kind of weird, huh? But December 26th is the day I purchase my prayer journal for the new year – and my journal is basically an extension of myself.

My yearly journal holds my prayers, my sermon notes from church, my goals – basically my entire life in written form. And this big ol’ dreamer loves everything about it.

I have all of my past journals lined up on a shelf in my closet. I often flip through them – looking back at answered prayers and unanswered prayers. Every time I flip through them is a time of thankfulness and reflection. It’s a time where I can really see how God’s hand was working in everything – especially the unanswered. I catch myself saying, “Oh, that’s why God.”

I challenge you to get a prayer journal this year. I challenge you to spend quiet time with God. I challenge you to pray and reflect and hope. Write it all down.

I challenge you to dream big for God.

“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11