Eyes that connect with Destiny

Anyone who watched super bowl XLII, the Eli escape and the Tyree catch, will forever be remembered as one of the greatest plays in an NFL super bowl game. Regardless of which team one was rooting for, we can all agree that those two plays determined the outcome of the game.

I had the opportunity to see both plays in slow motion and I still scratch my head, wondering how in the world Eli broke free from the sack and how Tyree caught the ball with one hand to his helmet before he was able to secure the ball with both hands as he went down. Both players refused to give up when the game was on the line. Both players bailed each other out. When you hear both their post game interviews, Eli states, "I knew I was getting grabbed," he said. "And then I saw Tyree..." Said Tyree, "When you see the guy in trouble, you have to break off your route. I saw he was under duress, and I just pulled up and cut it short." Both were in dire situations, but both saw what others couldn't see, each other, and what they saw changed history.

The ability to see beyond one's surroundings is very critical in life. If one cannot see, one cannot make that split second decision that can change a play for eternity. The ability to also change a route when you realize that what you planned for initially will not work is critical. If Eli managed to escape the sack from the Patriots defensive linesmen, saw Tyree, and Tyree still chose to run the option that had been called earlier, the Giants more than likely would not be the super bowl champs. It had to take two players to be in sync in the midst of confusion and chaos.

When referring to eyes, I am looking beyond what the natural eyes can see but what the eyes of faith, destiny, opportunity, purpose, and understanding can see. The eyes of the soul. These kind of eyes overcome obstacles and focus on the victory. These eyes are so intense that when they focus on the target, everything lines up according to plan.

• The eyes of David and Jonathan (Selfless): I Sam. 18: 1-5 gives an account of two friends who saw in each other destiny that not even family ties could break. David, a shepherd boy, soon to be king, and Jonathan, a prince, whose father was the reigning king, had the eyes of destiny. It could have been easy for Jonathan to fight David because he, rightfully so, by succession, was the next king of Israel. But he understood what was at stake; he had to adjust the play call and line up with what God had ordered. He was selfless and that selflessness allowed David to be one of the greatest kings that ruled Israel. He was affectionately called by God as a "man after my own heart."
  
• The eyes of Mary and Elizabeth (Celebration): The first two chapters of Luke gives us an account of two women who had heavenly visitations (Elizabeth through Zacharias) by the same angel, Gabriel. None knew about either visitations (at least it is not recorded in the Word) prior to their meeting. When Mary goes to visit Elizabeth (Luke 1: 39-45), the eyes of faith and destiny once again connected them. Both had received prophetic words about their sons, but neither one was trying to outdo the other. Their eyes that looked into history and the future allowed them to rejoice with each other and anticipate what heaven decreed for earth.
• The eyes of Ananias and Saul (Forgetting the Past): For all intents and purposes, Ananias had every right to resist God when the Lord told him to go meet with Saul (Acts 9: 10-19). Saul was a murderer and a hater of Christianity. Ananias was a Christian who did not want to have anything to do with Saul. Nonetheless, Ananias had to use his spiritual eyes to see past the history of Saul and see a man who would change destiny. He had to trust God and himself to embrace a man who had caused so much pain and suffering. He had to lay aside his reputation to run with a man who would be rejected because of his past. But Ananias went beyond all those obstacles because he saw what others could not have seen.
  
• The eyes of Mordecai and Esther (Belief and Confidence): Esther may have been too young to see with the eyes of purpose, but there was a Mordecai who saw the future of his people through the eyes of one young woman, Esther (Esther 2: 5-7). He mentored her as she rose in the ranks and when chaos broke out, and Esther was not ready to step into her God given destiny, the eyes that had seen it all (Mordecai), challenged Esther. It was easy for Esther to embrace the challenge because she had known this man who helped her be where she was, a queen; she believed and had confidence in Mordecai's insight because that insight came with understanding and faith. The rest is history.
  

The eyes of faith, destiny, purpose, and understanding are selfless. They celebrate each other. They forget the past. They believe and have confidence in each other. All these attributes were evident when Eli made that pass to Tyree. It wasn't about who would be the greatest in the greatest game of one's life (selfless), or who would get more accolades (celebration). It was about forgetting the past and trusting in the moment, believing in each other.

These kind of eyes allow you to transcend and go beyond human limitations. This thought is eloquently articulated by the man who made, probably, the greatest catch in super bowl history, "My opportunities are too far and few to let that one go. It was supernatural, you know? Some things just don't make sense, and that catch is a good example."

May we have those kinds of eyes!!!!!!

Headline News

If you were a Giants fan, reading the sports headlines leading up to the super bowl was disheartening. Just to make sure I was not misreading the headlines, I book marked them throughout the two weeks to see if what the "experts" were predicting was going to happen-they are the experts right? Please allow me to share some of the headlines:

• "Don't be fooled by previous Pats-Giants game: There are three reasons why NE will roll in super bowl XLII." MSNBC
• "Super Bowl Predictions: Our experts weigh in" (16 out of 21 picked the Pats to win)-ESPN
• "Expect Burress Prediction to fall short" ESPN
• "Feisty Giants will be no match for Patriots: N.Y. ruins storybook ending for Favre, leaves super bowl will little intrigue." MSNBC
• "Here's how the Patriots will blow out the Giants." Fox Sports

I believe this was my favorite headline before the super bowl:

• "A Patriots loss would stagger our sports fandom: It'd would be a world were Eli surpasses Namath and awe of Brady diminishes." MSNBC
  

I got to a point were I stopped book marking the headlines because the perception was that the Giants were lucky to have made it to the super bowl-a fluke ride, so to say; the Patriots were the team of destiny and they were going to win this game, to cap a perfect season, 19-0. However, what the "experts" forgot to consider in their predictions was that the Giants were a team that rightfully deserved and belonged to play in the super bowl. This disrespect surely fueled the Giants to beat the odds. Probably, if I were a Patriots fan, I would have loved every headline I read in favor of my team, but would have equally been scared because of how the other team would respond. (Just for the record, I am a Colts, Eagles, and Redskins fan--yes it can be done)

The match-up, interestingly, was being referred to as the "David and Goliath" match up. Funny how even the media can capitalize on a biblical comparison when it comes to sports. If I were a reader of the Goliath team, I should have been scared because of the outcome of the story-David beat Goliath. Nonetheless, even with the comparion to the story, no one thought that David (the Giants), would really defeat Goliath (the Patriots).

Since the media helped me with the biblical storyline, I figured I could use it to share a few insights I observed from super bowl XLII.

• Experience does not guarantee victory/success--when reading the story of David and Goliath, it is obvious that Goliath was a threat, he had experience fighting wars, and he commanded authority (I Sam. 17: 1-4). David, on the other hand, never fought in a war, his frame against Goliath was no match, and David did not command authority (come on, his own father "forgot" he had a son called David). In comparison, the Patriots had been to the super bowl three times in the last seven years, led by their all star quarterback Tom Brady; they won all three contests-experience. The Giants, on the other hand, had a quarterback who had just won his first three playoff games leading to the super bowl. He had no super bowl experience. In the end, heart overcame experience.
  
• Undermining an opponent is dangerous: Granted, the Patriots organization did not taunt the Giants-the media did, there is something that happens when you taunt or undermine someone. One or two things will happen, either one will raise above the taunts or curve in and succumb to the taunts. David rose above the taunts of Goliath and the Philistines (I Sam 17: 31-54). The Giants heard it all the two weeks leading to the super bowl and it awakened a resilient spirit to go against the odds. One is amazed at what the human spirit can overcome if undermined, taunted, or disrespected. Burress predicted a victory the week leading into the super bowl-the Giants would win. He had nothing to lose, most people counted the Giants out anyway. The media and the Patriots were shocked at that prediction. The Giants beating the Patriots? For real? In this century? Wow!!
  
• Keeping the eyes on the prize: I heard an interesting statement when watching the super bowl; "The Patriots were playing against history. The Giants were playing against the Patriots." Somehow, the statement seems to ring true. The Patriots were looking to rewrite history, going 19-0. Winning the super bowl and rewriting history at the same time can be a daunting task. I do not think Goliath had records to break, at least it is not recorded. However, David had the right perspective (not saying NE did not); Goliath was disrespecting the God of Israel and David was having none of that disrespect (I Sam 17: 45-47). In the midst of all doubt, the Giants kept their eyes on the Vince Lambordi trophy. With all the naysayers saying what they had to say, even during the game, the Giants kept their composure and kept their eyes on the prize. They won the super bowl.

When all is said and done, this is what I am trying to convey: Headlines don't define who you are, they do not carve your success, they do not predict the outcomes. That is why the headlines remain headlines and the real people who determine the headlines are those playing on the field. The same "experts" who predicted that the Giants would lose were quick to change their headlines again:

• "Giants miracle drive knocks Pats from historic ranks."--Fox Sports
• "Nobody's perfect-Giants shock Patriots."--MSNBC
• "Giants' receivers validate Burress' claim." ESPN
• "How they did it: Five reasons the Giants pulled off the upset." NBC Sports

Imagine if one depended upon the headlines to lead their lives-it can be confusing. It is part of the job description for the experts to write what they have to write. It makes it all the more interesting. Who would have thought!!!

There maybe headline articles on you that are discouraging, or even encouraging, but do not let that get to your head. In this "game of life," you cannot allow the headlines to determine your outcome. The only headlines that determine our success are the headlines that God writes about us in His Word-He is the REAL EXPERT of our lives. Let us focus on those headlines, nothing more, nothing less.

Cool Calm and Collected

Being Eli Manning is not easy, at least in my eyes it is not. Here is why:

• He is constantly compared to his brother, Peyton Manning
• He has been called inconsistent so many times; you would think his middle name is inconsistent!
• He has been called comical and not a leader in the hurdle
• He has been called the "little brother" or the "guy next door" when compared to Peyton and Brady respectively
• His demeanor has been questioned, especially when he throws an interception, has an incomplete pass, or loses a game-Go figure!!! He needs to be jumping up and down when that happens!
  
• The media has portrayed him as a quarterback who has no respect from his teammates, let alone the Giants nation
• One sports media personnel had the audacity to make this statement, "...Didn't think a Manning-led Giants team in the Super Bowl -- was likely, even possible." Who has the last laugh now, may I ask?

The list is endless, but Eli has proved time and time again that he is a man who has risen above every criticism, every skepticism, and misrepresentation, at least on our part. The world can say what it wants to say about him, but Eli will not exchange his glove, which fits him perfectly, to wear the glove some people are trying to give him, which is??

Here is what Eli had to say about himself concerning how he is perceived:

"You can't listen to it, whether you're playing great and they think you're the king of the world and can't do anything bad…or when you're not playing your best football and they're saying everything they say, you can't buy into it. You got to listen to yourself. You got to listen to your players and coaches."

I believe we are all guilty of trying to "conform" people to match our expectations of them. If they live up to our expectations, they are the greatest. If they fail, we might as well throw in the towel and cut them off. It reminds me of someone who went through something similar, that is, the expectations that were placed on him which, brought about praise and judgment.

A week before his crucifixion, the whole nation of Israel was singing praises to Jesus, "Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord..." (Mk 11:10) Many people were throwing their coats for Jesus to walk on even though he was riding on a colt. Other instances of Jesus getting accolades can be read below:

• "When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at his teaching: for He was teaching them as one having authority. (Mt 7:28)
• "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" (Mk 4:41)
• "A great prophet has risen among us! And God has visited His people." (Lk 7:16)
• "We have believed and come to know that you are the holy one of Israel (Jn 6:69)

(Rings a bell? Manning wins three straight playoff games and he is super bowl bound? The praises!!!! ☺ )

However, those accolades lasted, but for a short time. After the Hosannas, a different sound was heard:

• "Crucify Him!" (Mk 15:14)
• "Save yourself and come down from the cross." (Mk 15: 30)
• "He saved others, He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ the king of Israel now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe. Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting him." (Mk 15: 31-32)

(Rings a bell? Loses the first two games of the season and loses most of their home games! The judgments??)

What happened? Human nature happened!!! The ability for humanity to praise and judge someone based upon their expectations is not something new. It goes back to the Garden of Eden. One minute Adam is declaring, "Bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh," when he sees the creation of the woman, Eve. Then he is upset at God when he says, "The woman you gave me to be with made me..." because she made him partake of the forbidden fruit!

The flip side of not wanting to be judged but always praised can be detrimental. We see an example in scripture of a king who wanted to conform to everyone's wish list, that his desire to please everyone and not be judged, or wrongly perceived, cost him his kingdom. Does King Saul Sound familiar-the first King of Israel? (I Samuel 15)

Jesus, on the other hand did not try and please everyone who walked the face of the earth-only God got that privilege. John 2:24 states, "But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man."

"He did not need man's testimony about man!" Now that is a tough stand. How often do we seek out man's testimony to validate who we are? Is it wrong to seek man's testimony? No! We see how Paul would place his "stamp of approval" on someone to enable the community to accept such a one. However, it becomes dangerous for the individual if your whole identity and livelyhood is wrapped up in man's testimony, and what they think about you. I believe we all know what we are capable of doing! We shout praises one day, we cry crucify you the next day!

So how do we get to the place were we do not fall in this trap? I have a few suggestions, which are pretty common:

• We need to let God identify who we are and hold dearly to that His identify. Knowing this identity can only be done by spending time in His word and allowing the word to bear fruit in us. Once we know who we are, we are capable of looking at people with a new set of lenses!!
  
• We need to surround ourselves with people who believe in us, and who see the best in us even when we mess up
• We need to be comfortable in our own skin so that we know who we really are and not depend on others to define us.
  
• We also need to train ourselves to believe in people and give each person the benefit of the doubt. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
  

Eli has been thrown to the wolves, has been insulted on national television, and has sometimes been doubted by his own teammates. What has kept him going, even earning a trip to the super bowl in his forth year in the NFL (compared to his brother Peyton who made it to the super bowl in his ninth year)? He discovered himself, has accepted his mistakes, is learning from his mistakes, and while the world awaits his coronation as the next great quarterback, he will be crowned the MVP for super bowl XLII!!! Eli has already succeeded, he does not need to wait on man to validate who he is, he knows who is he!

What has Eli taught me? To always give people a chance to grow and prove themselves even when they do not seem to exude any glimmer of hope. I was once in their shoes. You can never judge a book by its cover. Read the contents first, and then judge. And even if you give it a negative review, the book has been written and the final story has been told...even though it does not mean there cannot not be a revised edition!