Editor’s Note: Following is a response to Saturday’s column by the Rev. Chris Surber, “Why I hate the Super Bowl.” Columnist Dennis Edwards, a self-avowed Baltimore Ravens fan, submitted this column on Monday, after the Ravens won Sunday’s big game.

 

By Dennis Edwards

I love the Super Bowl! It’s one of the unifying events in American culture. Folks from all races get together to root for or against a team. People who’d never agree on politics or religion agree or disagree together about the Ravens, Redskins, Steelers etc.

Do we get a little carried away? Yes! Do we go to far? Yes! Is it going too far to believe that God is on your team’s side? No!

Whenever people seek to bring their Lord and Savior into their life events, it’s a good thing. Ray Lewis did it and took heat for saying, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” He was talking about the promises of God. Promises that are relevant to every facet of life.

Is God a Ravens fan? You could argue he is, since the Ravens won. Is he a 49ers fan? Some might argue the power outage was an act of God, allowing San Francisco to get back into the game.

Athletes are on a life journey, just like all of us. They see the hand of God in ways we don’t. I’ve known Ray Lewis since he was drafted by the Ravens. The Lord has brought him through bad decisions, bad company, hard lessons and more to a place where he’s able to leave the game a champion.

Church folks should celebrate the witness, be thankful these young men are actively employing their faith in their profession and trying to live like men of god in a world that doesn’t always appreciate their efforts.

God is on everybody’s side. He seeks to bring everyone into right relationship with him. Look at the Exodus. Most of us believe Yahweh was purely on Israel’s side. But that’s not entirely so. Israel was the benefactor. But God parted the Red Sea and delivered Israel in order to prove to Israel, Pharaoh and to Egypt that he is the one true living God, and besides him there is no other.

For me, The God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob is still writing scripture every day of our lives. He’s still doing wonderful things on the battlefields of professional, academic, religious and military life. I can’t say he doesn’t care about or has nothing to do with athletics. I am sure he does.

When I see what these men and women can do, I agree with the psalmist, who said, “for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works….”

When I was growing up, there was among the many wonderful women at First Baptist Church, Mahan Street one whose voice I can still hear to this day. Sister Valentine openly praised the Lord for what He did in every area of her life. She’d say, “Don’t tell me what the Lord can’t do.” She knew, as we know, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Dennis Edwards is an Emmy Award-winning television news reporter and anchor, He is a 1974 graduate of Suffolk High School. Email him at dedwards247@comcast.net.