It all started in the sixth week of the season. We (Hilton Head Christian Academy) had three wins and three losses and knew we had to step it up if we wanted to reach our goal of winning the state championship. Tommy Lewis, my son-in-law, and I were at a private viewing of Facing the Giants put on by the local FCA. Tommy is the athletic director and head football coach at HHCA. We watched the movie with a number of coaches, teachers, administrators and adults. When the movie was over, I turned to my son-in-law and said, “This could be us.” To which he responded, “Couldn’t it though?”
After that movie, I believe our coaches’ main purpose became to “glorify the Lord Jesus in all of our efforts and to be pleasing to Him, win or lose.” I’m not saying we had not been diligent in our labors to please God, but our focus changed because of the movie.
Throughout the remainder of the season, Tommy and the football staff continued to impress upon the players and anyone else who would listen that we wanted to play, win or lose, for the glory of God and to be pleasing to Jesus. This was genuinely expressed in our talks and prayers before practices and games with the players and coaches and re-emphasized with players, families and fans in post-game talks at midfield.
Little incidents and moments similar to the film and our team kept popping up. Harkening back to summer camp, only 19 players showed up to start the 2006 campaign. Several starters didn’t come out, others were considering transferring because of lack of numbers and several returned to their old schools. It was a low moment for a football program that had started a mere five years ago, but in the last two years had experienced tremendous success: 23 wins and three losses with two State Semi-Final appearances. Many Bible verses and morning devotions revealed that we should persevere in our quest (Romans 10:9-10), and that even when things are bad, “joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) Our joys began to be fulfilled with a growing belief that we could glorify the Lord, no matter what may come. What came were victories on Friday nights!
We saw the film (Facing the Giants) as a team the night before the State Semi-finals versus Pee Dee Academy. I really feel our young men believed that night that “all things are possible with God.” (Matthew 19:26) I’m not saying that God picks His favorite team to win, but I do know that He cares about each one of us enough to send Jesus, His Son, to die on a cross for us so that we can have eternal life (John 3:16) and an abundant life (John 10:10).
Other similar incidents included a call from past FCA President, Dal Shealy, wishing Tommy, the coaching staff and team God’s good fortune and blessings. This reminded me of the appearance of Georgia’s Head Football Coach, Mark Richt, in the film and Coach Richt’s commitment to Christ. Another occurrence came as I was walking out on the field before the State Championship game. I recalled thinking, “Lord, please don’t let it come down to a field goal in the last few seconds of the game like it did in the movie. My heart may not be able to take it!!” Praise the Lord it didn’t!! We won the SCISAA 2-A State Championship 35 – 12 and as I turned to my daughter, Meggan, who’s the cheerleading sponsor and Tommy’s wife, I observed a group of students celebrating with a sign that read “Not to us, but to God be the glory!” (Psalm 115:1) – Just like in the movies!!
We’d like to thank FCA for allowing the coaches the sneak preview of Facing the Giants. That proved to be the impetus that focused our coaches and motivated our players toward our State Championship… to the glory of GOD!!
By the way, the coach, my son-in-law, is still waiting for his pick-up truck!
