On January 2, much of the nation watched as Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during the Bills vs. Bengals football game. Trainers and EMS personnel worked feverishly to revive him; administering CPR for 20 minutes to a 24-year-old man who moments before was racing down the field.
While the medical professionals saved Damar’s life, millions did the only thing they could. They prayed. Football players dropped to their knees, cried openly with coaches, held hands and prayed. Sportscasters on major networks bowed their heads and prayed. A nation – so divided on so many levels – came together in prayer to the one God who could provide peace and healing.
On Wednesday, January 11 – just 9 days after his heart stopped beating – Hamlin was released from the hospital. Incredible? Absolutely. And while his recovery is far from over, I think most of us who have followed this are in awe of the progress Damar has made and the fact that there appear to be no long-term neurological effects. For those of us who know Jesus and the power of a remnant of people crying out in prayer, we simply see the awe that is our God.
In the last nine days, we’ve heard main-stream media reporters and sportscasters call for prayer. We’ve seen football teams unite at the 50-yeard line in prayer for Hamlin. And I’ve seen memes highlighting the hypocrisy of the league, media, and public that criticized Tim Tebow for praying in the NFL. That hypocrisy frustrates many. It frustrates me. But when I see those pictures and I hear the call for prayer, I don’t feel anger. Rather, my heart and soul are filled with joy. Because I know my mighty God is at work.
The only fact that matters is that God has once again taken a tragedy and turned it for good and His glory. Hamlin’s charity raised over $8 million dollars in the days after his collapse. Prayer is being broadcast across televisions, radios, social media, and print publications – avenues previously shut down to this powerful tool of God. When I see football players who are kneeling for prayer rather than in protest, I see God.
God is everywhere, yes. But where we see God? That is up to us. We have a choice to make in the midst of disappointment, tragedy, grief, and loss. In these moments, we can miss God because we are myopic in our worldly view. We miss God in the contentment, the celebration, the simple because we forget who gives us these gifts.
While snuggling on the couch with my daughter who is home from college, I see God. God in the gift of this amazing young woman who still wants to curl up next to her mama. I see God in the love we share.
Holding hands with my husband on a hike, I see God. (Even if I may or may not have threatened to send him to God when he misjudged the distance and elevation!) I see him in the commitment of two people who still love spending time together in the creation of our Lord.
Praying for a loved one battling cancer, I see God. I see Him in the doctors and nurses caring for them. And I see Him in the amazing attitude and strength of this person overcoming a diagnosis no one wants to receive.
Seeing God isn’t difficult. But it requires a mindset shift. From focusing on ourselves to focusing on the One who is, was, and always will be. Every circumstance offers you a choice. It isn’t about what a situation is “doing to you” or “making you feel.” It is seeing God and knowing that no matter how you feel, or what you are up against, you never walk alone. The God who loved you and died for you knows the path you will take. He knows the joy. He knows the sadness. He knows that you will stray, and His correction may hurt. But He loves you too much to let you wander away from His plan.
He battles for you every moment of every day. That slow car that has you frustrated and running late? Maybe that’s God protecting you from an accident. That dream job that fell through? Maybe that’s God clearing the way for something better. That relationship that didn’t work out? Maybe that’s God preparing you for the one He has chosen for you. Do you focus on the slow car? The lost job? The ended relationship? Or do you see God?
As Paul explained to the Philippians (4:8): “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Paul isn’t telling us to be naive or hide from the realities of living in a broken world. What he is telling us is that despite that, we have the gift and power to view every situation from the truth of Jesus Christ.
That we are loved beyond measure. We are blessed beyond reason. Enrobed in the light of a God who is everywhere. Do you see Him?
I encourage you this week to intentionally look for God in every situation. Let His grace, mercy, and love be what you see.