HALFTIME
One of the first things that many people look forward to in a new year is the Super Bowl. Of all of the Super Bowls ever played it is doubtful that any have been as memorable as #51. Super Bowl LI was played on February 02, 2017, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The veteran New England Patriots led by legendary quarterback Tom Brady were seeking their fifth Super Bowl win. In their first bowl appearance since 1999 the Atlanta Falcons led by young quarterback Matt Ryan were hoping for an upset. At kickoff the Patriots were projected to win by 3 points in a close game. At halftime the Falcons led by a stunning score of 28-3. The experts had already called the game as no team in Super Bowl history had ever come back from such a deficit. The game was considered over, and the conversation shifted to how the Falcons had ended the Patriots reign. Or so they thought. By the fourth quarter the Patriots had narrowed the lead to 28-12. Even so with 9 minutes left the official chance of a Falcons win was still 99.6%. In the first ever overtime for a Super Bowl, the Patriots won with a final score of 34-28. After a stellar first half Atlanta never scored again. After a less than stellar first half, New England scored 31 points. From both sides of the field there are major life lessons from Super Bowl LI.
The New England Patriots Side
Whatever was said in the New England locker room at halftime they did not listen to the experts, they did not believe the game was over, and they did not quit. They began the third quarter by shutting down the Atlanta offense, and in the fourth quarter they shut down their defense.
Many times in life we face similar situations. In marriages and relationships, in finances, in health the experts will tell us it’s over, forget it, move on. As humans we are tempted to give up but as believers it is always too soon to quit. Throughout the Bible God’s people have always been the underdogs, both nationally as the Israelites and individually. Time and again Israel faced overwhelming odds, many times they were defeated and occupied by enemy forces but God always had a remnant and He always had a plan. One notable time was when the Babylonians, an unusually cruel and powerful people invaded and conquered Israel. Most of the Jews were killed and those who survived were taken as slaves to Babylon. Things didn’t look good when the prophet Jeremiah offered tremendous words of hope:
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
This is a familiar verse and is often misquoted, misunderstood, and taken out of context. It does not say that their captivity ended overnight, they still had 70 of the 400 years to go. Nor does it say that things didn’t get worse before they got better. It does say that God had a plan that would lead to their ultimate victory, freedom, and restoration. As believers, no matter how bleak a situation may be, our duty is to trust, obey, and do the next right thing. His part is to produce the miracle and move the mountain. We cannot do His part, He will not do our part, but when the two come together is when the miracles happen.
The Atlanta Falcons Side
Whatever was said in the Atlanta locker room they may have listened to the experts and began the victory celebration a bit too soon. The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthian church in his first letter:
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (I Corinthians 10:12, NIV)
Solomon said many years earlier in Proverbs:
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18, NIV)
Perhaps nothing changed with Atlanta and they played just as hard the second half as the first but were simply not prepared for the Patriots second wind.
Whether the change at half time was with the Patriots, the Falcons, or most likely both, the second half of the game was totally different from the first half. In all probability there will never be another come-from-behind win like we saw in Super Bowl LI. Or will there?
Our Side
For us as believers we can learn much from both teams. When things are going incredibly well we must be careful not to become prideful, losing sight of God. The Apostle Peter learned the hard way that:
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
(1 Peter 5:6, NIV)
When things are going incredibly bad we must remember that our hope is in the Lord. Jeremiah encouraged the Israelites in their darkest hour to:
“Call upon Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV)
King David, who often led Israel in battle against vastly superior enemies, said:
“Call upon Me in your day of trouble; I will deliver you and you will glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15)
For many New Years is something like halftime. A New Year is a clean slate, a new beginning, a fresh start, a time to regroup, to learn from yesterday and position ourselves for tomorrow. If things are going great, praise the Lord! If things are not going great, call upon the Lord! Either way may we:
“Trust in the Lord with all of our heart, and lean not on our own understanding; in all of our ways submit to Him, and He will make our paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)