Win or lose, trust God

Facing the Giants is a powerful movie.  The message is clear: Win or lose, trust God.  The story takes place at a Christian high school in Georgia.  The plot is predictable--desperate coach turns football team around.  The theme is the proverbial "David and Goliath," only this Goliath is a champion football team.   The undefeated Giants are bigger, faster and they're tougher than an over cooked steak.  Gnawing on a lollipop stick, the Giant's robust head coach oozes arrogance and overconfidence.  Losing to the undermanned Shiloh Eagles never entered this coaches mind. 

The Eagle's failing coach, Grant Taylor, has never had a winning season.  Now Taylor is going through a life crisis, battling fear and failure.  He's struggling with what God's will is for him, his wife, and his losing team. The pivotal moment in the film comes when Coach Taylor sells his new philosophy and game plan at the players.  During his lecture he asks several of them their reason for playing the game.  They respond, "To win."  In other words, they want to get all the glory and draw attention to themselves.  Coach thunders, "We're not here to get glory, make money, and die!"  That's news to the boys.  All along they thought games were played to win.  So, if they're not here to get all the glory, then why are they here?  What's life all about, anyway?  Coach Taylor is prepared with the answers.  He tells the team that Christians should be living life for the greater glory of God.  Not for themselves.   

What does the greater glory of God mean?  In a sermon given by Pastor Gary Vanderet, he says it means God-dependence.  "Sports can be very exciting, but they are not a basis on which to live life. The desire to compete and succeed is not enough. Games are replete with statistics and, like the law written on stone, statistics testify to performance. Someone always scores more points; some team always wins more games. You can't build a life on a foundation as demanding as this."

Coach Taylor makes this point to his players.  He persuades them that the principal of God-dependence, where someone's skills, talents and training are used to honor God, God will be at work.  "Then you experience an excitement and a glory that is greater than the one you feel when you want to show off what you can do. Thus it will not be you but God who will accomplish things." [1]

During the remainder of the season the Eagles learn how Christ's power can help them face their fears and overcome difficult odds.  They learn God-dependence.

Facing the Giants will affect you.  It will make you want to get your priorities in order.  Moreover, it will make you want to live for God.
Next page...

Prints 1 page at a time                         Home   |   Email   |  Up