Salvaging Victory Out of the Jaws of Adversity

Buckeye players grasp the 2024 national championship trophy.

One of the things I enjoy most about watching sports is they serve as a microcosm for what we experience in everyday life. ABC’s Wide World of Sports called it, “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” Exhilarating ups and devastating downs, sometimes back-to-back. 

A recent example was the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 34-23 triumph over Notre Dame for the college football national championship Monday night. Regardless of whether you’re an OSU fan, a fan of college football, a sports fan in general, or have no interest in sports, that game – and what led up to it – have lessons for us all.

 

Ohio State’s resounding victory came just seven weeks after a humiliating defeat against archrival Michigan. Despite being more than 20-point favorites to win, the Buckeyes had lost, 13-10. For those passionate about the Scarlet and Gray, it was tantamount to having their identity stolen or seeing their new car driven off a cliff.

 

If it was painful for so-called Buckeye Nation, it was even more so for head coach Ryan Day and the players who had devoted the preceding 365 days preparing for that game. Some crazed fans called for Day’s firing. However, the team rallied around one another – and especially their embattled coach. They hit the Pause button for a moment, then hit Fast Forward.

 

The Buckeyes turned this adversity, their own agony of defeat, into unwavering resolve. In The Wright Brothers, a biography about the famous brothers of flight, author David McCullough observed that adversity “often can be exactly what you need to give you a lift higher.” This proved true for Ohio State.

 

One underlying factor was the faith in Jesus Christ many of them embraced. Leading up to the season, several of the players led a revival service attended by several thousand OSU students, not just athletes. Numerous attendees declared first-time professions of faith. Some were even baptized.

 

During the season, players regularly gathered for chapel services and Bible studies. When interviewed, a number of them boldly proclaimed their faith in Christ – not for victories but for enabling them to endure and overcome the rigors of a demanding season. So, when the team suffered its highly improbably loss in arguably the greatest rivalry game in sports, rather than losing heart the Buckeyes circled the wagons and rededicated themselves to preparing for the post-season.

 

Their hard work, commitment, camaraderie – and faith – culminated in playoff victories over Tennessee, Oregon (which had narrowly defeated Ohio State at home early in the season), and Texas, and then the  championship win over the Fighting Irish. Afterward, many of the Buckeyes were quick to “give glory to God” and express their gratitude to Jesus Christ for the opportunities they experienced.

 

Ohio State had salvaged the ultimate victory in college football out of the jaws of adversity. As we learn from the Scriptures, adversity is an integral part of personal and spiritual growth. 

 

In Romans 5:3-5 the apostle Paul, no stranger himself to adversity, stated, “…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit….”

 

We find a similar declaration from another apostle, James, who wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

 

Many other passages affirm the importance of adversity for becoming the people God wants us to be. Adversity isn’t something to be avoided, but to be embraced. Because as Romans 8:28 promises, “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

 

Following Ohio State’s championship victory, a sports commentator made another observation. He pointed to the selflessness displayed by Buckeye players and coaches. They all seemed willing to share the spotlight, even sacrifice playing time when necessary for the best interests of the team and their fellow players. The commentator cited a statement by Jesus Christ in Luke 14:11, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

 

About the eagerness of numerous Buckeyes to proclaim their faith in Jesus Christ, it’s heartening to see a growing openness among many, not only in the sports world but also in entertainment, politics, business and other arenas, to serves as witnesses for Christ. As His followers, that’s an important part of our calling.

 

Notably in 1 Samuel 2:30 God says, “…those that honor Me I will honor….” Giving honor and glory to the Lord doesn’t guarantee victory or success, and it shouldn’t be the motivation for doing so. But reading the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis, how God raised him up to positions of authority after going through great adversity, I saw this principle underscored.

 

Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph was bought by a high-ranking Egyptian officer. Over time Joseph earned the officer’s trust and was put in charge of his entire household. “The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house because of Joseph” (Genesis 39:5). Later, after being imprisoned for a false accusation, Joseph gained the favor of the prison warden, who gave him authority over all the prisoners. We’re told, “…the Lord was with him, and the Lord made everything that he did successful” (Genesis 39:23).

 

Finally, after God enabled Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s troubling dream, the Egyptian king declared, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as intelligent and wise as you. You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands” (Genesis 41:39-40). In one way or another, the Lord promises to honor those who honor Him.