Don’t Count Me Out
It’s official — the Kansas City Chiefs have won the 57th Super Bowl — a thrilling game that was won in its last minute and 30 seconds.
As I reflect on the fun of having witnessed the come-behind win and the glitz of Rihanna +1’s halftime show, there is one lesson many of us, whether we are fans of American football or not, can appreciate:
DON’T COUNT ME OUT
At halftime the game was far from over but many presumptuous onlookers (I will not out myself to say I was among this group), may have suspected it was very likely for the Philadelphia Eagles to return from halftime and widen their lead over the Kansas City Chiefs. There was no reason to think otherwise — Jalen Hurts, Philly’s quarterback, was on fire. In fact, he set a record after achieving his third rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. And Kansas City’s quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, seemed to have aggravated a recent ankle injury during the first half of the game. By halftime, it would not have been hard to believe that the Eagles would be crowned the victors in less than two hours. But the Chiefs returned from the interlude with what appeared to be renewed focus and drive to win.
This commitment to not allow the scoreboard to limit one’s perspective on what’s possible is inspiring.
What is your personal scoreboard? Is it your age, health status, credit score, level of job satisfaction, cholesterol level, pregnancy status, personal debt, history of involvement with the justice system, marital status, academic achievement level, weight, or country/geography of residence? Are you already counting yourself out? Are you already certain that the odds against you achieving a new level of recovery and success are impossible? Are you convinced that winning, however you may choose to define it, will not be your future?
If any of the above resonates with you, I encourage you to not bet on you, but to instead place your bet on God. His unexpected interceptions, innovative plays, ability to redeem time and distance, and incredible defense against the wiles of the enemy are what make it possible for us to experience turnaround wins in our lives. You have no idea what he has planned in the second half of your life, in your health, in your career, passions, areas of gifting, finances, your relationships, on your job, in your family and in the nation where you reside. No matter how bleak the current circumstances are, don’t count God out. Those odds haven’t proven successful.
Consider this note my way of praying for you as Elisha prayed for someone who was sure his second half was as good as over:
“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 6:16–17 NLT
I pray that God would open the eyes of your understanding, that you may see all that he has in store for you and your family, and that you would always know and experience the truth of understanding that with God, the scoreboard is always in your favor.
