An Injection of Life

In just about any other season in recent memory, the New York Giants’ 34-17 upset win over the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night probably would have felt more like a weird anomaly. 

After all, though the win over Philadelphia was impressive, it merely improved the Giants’ record to an unimpressive 2-4 on the season.

So why does there seem to be an unusual amount of buzz and optimism in the New York locker room, although the team still sits two games under .500?

Well, much of the “injection of life” that has found its way to the Big Apple is attributed to passionate and electric rookies Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo.

Since Dart replaced veteran Russell Wilson under center following week three, the Giants have gone 2-1 and have looked much more potent on offense. His athleticism, accuracy, and big-play ability have given the Giants’ offense a spark that has been lacking for quite some time.

Meanwhile, Skattebo has impressed fans across the league with the way that his physical style of running has translated so well at the professional level. He has consistently racked up yards after contact and has already put together a mini-highlight reel featuring clips of him imposing his physical dominance on opposing defenses.   

It's incredible to see how the insertion of two young players into the starting lineup has served to rejuvenate and vitalize the entire locker room for an organization that has had just one winning season in the past eight years.

Dart and Skattebo have led many Giants fans to feel optimistic about the prospects, both for the remainder of the season and the years ahead. Previously, things have appeared doom and gloom in New York, but these two players have been shining bright in their young careers.

The impact that Dart and Skattebo are having on the football team in New York serves as a powerful reminder to us, as followers of Jesus, of the opportunity we have to be a positive influence on the people around us.

We are undoubtedly aware that living in a fallen world can easily take its toll on us. Every single day, moral filth and ungodly messages coming from our society bombard us as Christians. And if we aren’t careful, we can begin to allow negative influences to drag us down as we seek to honor God.

But we must remember that God has equipped us with everything that we need to live a life that is fully pleasing in His sight. We do not have to give way to the desires and impulses of the world. In fact, we can be people who inject life everywhere we go, as we look to God for strength and help.

In Matthew 5:16 (ESV), Jesus gave this command to His followers: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Indeed, we can shine our light into the darkest places to bring glory to the Lord. Where there is despair and “doom and gloom,” we can bring hope. Where there is contention, we can bring peace. Where there is injustice, we can bring God’s righteousness. 

The world's darkness actually allows our light to contrast more brightly. When our lives look categorically different from the rest of the world because of the transforming work that the Holy Spirit has done in our lives, it stands out and causes others to notice.

Philippians 2:14-15 addresses this concept in the context of discussing people's tendency to argue and complain, a tendency that remains prevalent in our conversations today.

The Apostle Paul writes, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

Let’s acknowledge that God has not called us to be influenced by the negative aspects of the world around us. Instead, we are inspired to bring “injections of life” with us everywhere, as we live wholeheartedly for God in all that we do.

As we do so, may the Lord be pleased to cause many people to be impacted in such a way as to bring glory to His great Name. 

I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to make a profound impact on others through Your power. Please help me to remain unpolluted from the world and to shine my light brightly for You at all times. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.