Sometimes when professional athletes talk about their faith, I cringe a little. Sometimes a lot. I’ve often heard immature faith at work when a player or an athlete indicates God’s desire for them to win, or how God blessed them with an incredible play. I was ready for it with the Super Bowl this weekend, but I never heard it. Granted, I didn’t listen to much pre-game or post-game coverage, but I can say that I didn’t hear it this time. In fact, it is the opposite. After the game, I saw a short video online that I found refreshing.

The young MVP of the game, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, was asked a series of questions about his faith, and his answers were refreshingly solid, theologically speaking. In all honesty, I was impressed, which is why I decided to ramble about it this week.  It’s a reminder that we can all learn and benefit from.

My first takeaway was a reminder of how important it is for us to raise our children in the Church, and how that can set them on a wonderful course for the rest of their lives. Mahomes noted that his parents instilled faith through the church: “I was raised in the church, building a great relationship with God.  …[My] faith is huge, helping me stay on the right track, to live life knowing that I can be free and trust that God will have me and will always accept me.” If I died knowing that all of the kids who passed through our Sunday School could articulate their personal faith this way, I would rest in peace. All too often, churches don’t manage to get those messages across to kids, (or adults for that matter), but it is important. I would hope that they could also express their faith through action, too, but that’s inherent in what Mahomes said next.

When asked about how he lives out his faith, he referenced the weekly team Bible study and the chapel service they hold before each game. As he says of that service, “[It’s a] last touch to let me know I can go out there and play and be myself and know that whatever happens, God has my back.  …[It] keeps me up to date with God and every opportunity God is giving me…”  This doesn’t sound remarkable, and yet, when popular Christianity has moved further and further towards the prosperity gospel that our successes are indicators of God’s blessing and approval, here’s a person reminding us that God is God and loves us no matter the outcome. 

Mahomes doubled down on this when he continued by saying, “I thank God for those opportunities and being on a stage where I can glorify God …that whatever happens, win or lose, success or failure, that I am glorifying God and doing things the way God wants me to.”  Being able to praise God in the midst of loss and failure is mature Christianity at its best.  Recognizing that everything we do is an opportunity to glorify God and serve the Lord. St. Paul said this to the churches in Corinth and Colossae. No matter if we are a lawyer, a stay-at-home parent, a plumber, or a professional athlete, whatever we do, we do it for God. If that’s how we approach life, God is pleased, I have no doubt.

I don’t know much about Patrick Mahomes or his parents. I don’t know what church he attends, although I can tell that he has an evangelical background. What I do know is he has a good feel for his faith and how his relationship to God works. More importantly, he knows that his relationship to God is a gift and a source of strength. I haven’t read an exhaustive amount on Mahomes, but what I have heard and seen seems to suggest he’s a grounded young man, considering the talent he has and the early successes he’s racking up. I pray with him that he will continue to be who he is, and not lose that faith in God no matter how he plays the game. I pray each of us will know that same freedom, to be who we are, loved by God, and able to glorify God because of it. What a great takeaway from an exciting Super Bowl. God is very good indeed.

Tom+

O God, as your Son, Jesus Christ, was obedient to his knowledge of your purposes for him, help us to understand and obey your purposes for us, and to discover the work we are best fitted to do. And as he steadfastly rejected the temptation to use unworthy means, teach us also to accept the discipline necessary to master our work, and to work for the ends you desire, to the honor of your holy Name. Amen.  

Photo Credits:  Praying football player, public domain via piqsels.com; Mahomes via Wikipedia.