It's Our Time: "Year of the Comeback"

Well, like the 95,000 fans in Pasadena, California and a few million Americans at home, I was glued to the BCS championship game with Texas and Alabama tonight. While I am definitely your quintessential "fly girl" I love me some football. Started when my dad used to drag me to University to Miami football scrimmages and practices. I feel in love. Oh, I liked the game too. lol. But nonetheless, football has quietly been my "thing".

As I was watching the game I was consumed with so many emotions. I was inspired. I was invigorated. I was totally pulled in. Whether you were for one team or another, you were so drawn it, it felt like you were apart of one of the teams. From the very minute of the game, it was on! The Texas quarterback went down within the first 2minutes. Texas just knew they wouldn't score a point for the rest of the night. Well, at least the fans did. They put in the "true" freshman and of course he had some mishaps, but he was able to hold his ground. And on Alabama's side, they started the game off like they forgot they were ranked the number one team in the nation. Some how along the lines they forgot how good they were. Mark Ingram, Heisman winner, was the star player of the night ( I will tell you a little more about him later). The game was a true tug of war all night. I was rooting for Alabama, but I sure thought about jumping ship to go over to Texas for 2.45465 seconds. But then I was back rolling tide right after. Lol.

The amazing points of this game were as follows:

- Seasoned senior QB for Texas goes down and the fate of the team was left in the hands of a measly freshman. Now, while he certainly buckled under pressure, he exhibited why he was chosen. He managed some amazing passes.

-When the season QB was interviewed at the end of the game he was asked did he feel bad for being out of the game and how he was feeling about it. Through tears and a lost for words he said, "I was made for this game, I've played it all my life. I wanted to be there for my team, they fought until the end. I can't feel my arm, but I know I will be ok. My life is in God's hands". *pause* (God got the glory again on national TV, I'm overwhelmed!)

Parallel: Like in life, we are often amongst people who are "seasoned", hand picked for the job, and just "perfect, and then there is us. Everyone wants to count us out the moment we drop a pass, mess up, and get off track. The moment we experience victory or a spiritual "touchdown" of the sort, we are back on top. What we have to realize is that no matter what the score looks like, or who came before you in your position, no one will ever be you and you will never be them. Perfect your role with your own flair, passion, and dedication. Sure you might fall, get up. Sure you might mess us, hurry up and get it together. Sure you might be lost, pray for direction. At the end of the game (life), the scoreboard on earth won't matter. God saw your every effort, accomplishment, and triumph. He was right there all along. So stop beating up on yourself because you don't think you're good enough, seasoned enough, or that "one". You are "you", who God uniquely designed for this season.

When the seasoned QB said his life was in God hands, I couldn't help but to praise. Even in one of his greatest losses he saw God's grace on his life. He saw his goodness. He knew God was still standing with him. We have to see the same thing. Through our greatest tragedies & trials, our greatest heartaches and pains. We have to stand still and know that God has it all under control. At some point, it will all come together.

- Mark Ingram- Heisman Winner. Now, let me tell you about this Fly Guy here. He was born in raised in Flint, Michigan which is ROUGH! He excelled in High School, his parents raised him well, remembered Coach Saban, sent him down to Alabama and the rest was history. Now, he was up against some heavy hitters in the running for the Heisman Trophy, but came out the victor. His speech is thought to be one on the most memorable speeches on all 75 Heisman Trophies. What made the night so particularly touching was that his father Mark Sr,former NFL player, was in jail in NY awaiting arraignment for money laundering and a few other charges. With his mother and his cheering squad, he was able to make his speech, accept his award, and press toward to the BCS Championship to rush for over 100 yards.

Parallel: Like Mark Ingram, we are faced with many obstacles in our personal lives that are sure to discourage us, consume us, and detour us from making it. But like Mark, we must "rush" pass those things and see the goal at the end of the field. No matter what the commentators in our lives have to say, they don't matter. We have to find the voice of the Lord and turn that up. We cannot allow our pasts and pain to stagnate our growth, but instead, we must use them as fuel to press forward. One time during the game, when Mark was given the ball, the announcer said, "look how his head is up, it's like he doesn't even see the lineman coming from him. He's looking straight ahead." I literally got chills. That's EXACTLY what God wants us to do. Look up. Look straight ahead. Don't look at the enemies that are headed for us. They simply do not matter because your purpose and destiny are JUST that great.

Other points:
Now, Alabama didn't get to this point on a "fluke". They played the incomparable Florida Gators for the SEC Championship and provided a great upset. They shook up a team that was a shoe in the the national championship. The pressed their way all the way today's game, a place where they hadn't been since 1992. We need to take that same direction. No matter who or what we are faced with, despite odds, we need to keep our eyes on winning. Even when "statistically" it doesn't make sense.

Not to mention that Nick Saban was down in Miami coaching the Dolphins and had a hard time winning games, and definitely not making it to the Super Bowl level. Goes to show you that when God places you were you are supposed to be, where your gifting is, you are going to win. But its all about timing, focus, and placement. Know that it all about HIS plan for you!

When the Gatorade was poured, the hands were shaken, the confetti had flown, and the championship t-shirts were passed out, Ingram got the mic and said, "This is the year of the Underdog! The Year of the Comeback". I fell out! lol

God wants us to know that no matter what we are facing. No matter what odds are against us. Not matter what the scoreboard looks like. No matter what the other team may be capable of. At the end the day, God will get all the glory, honor and the praise. He is the author and finisher of our faith. We need to know that all things are continuously working, even things we cannot see. God can rise us up in our darkest hour. No matter what our pasts look like. No matter what our track records have been. No matter what they say about us.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

**Adding a new one... a time to WIN and LOSE....***

This is your season. Your day. Your moment. Your time! Know that just because it doesn't look like it , doesn't mean it wont happen. Even when you're in the fourth quarter of your life with 3 minutes left on the clock, you can still score 2 touchdowns and get 2 interceptions. God is just that kind of God. He likes to be able to show out on our behalves.

Say it with me:

This. Is. The . Year. Of. The. Comeback.

Now say it alone and own it:

This. Is. The . Year. Of. The. Comeback.

Isaiah 40:31 says, "but those who hope in
the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they
will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be
faint."

It's been written. It's been said. Its been activated... now go get it!

Coming back like never before,

~Mel