Frank Reich, M. Div.

Pastor, NFL Assistant Coach, Former QB of the Buffalo Bills

As I warmed up my car on a cold Buffalo morning, I readied myself for a drive to Rich Stadium
where I was to start my first NFL playoff game. This particular day, January 3, 1993, we were
playing the Houston Oilers in an AFC wildcard game. As the windows of my car were
defrosting, I listened to a song I had heard at least 100 times that week. The song was "In Christ
Alone" performed by Michael English, lyrics by Shawn Craig, and music by Don Koch. I sat and
listened again to the words and music which had so inspired me all week long. With the song
ending and the windows fully defrosted, I was ready for my short drive to Rich Stadium. But,
instead of heading for the game, I sat and listened to the song again and again. Finally, I pulled a
tablet from my playbook and wrote down the words to that incredible song. I sensed God telling
me that somehow He wanted me to share that song with someone that day. Perhaps it would be
with a teammate, friend, or even a stranger. But right there in my car, I promised God I would
obey.

Well, little did I realize what God had planned. We won our game against Houston 41-38 in
overtime. A game in which we were losing 35-3 midway through the 3rd quarter. A game now
known as the greatest comeback in NFL history. As I stood behind the podium before the mass
of media at the post-game press conference, it was very clear to me just how God intended me to
share that powerful song. To start the press conference, I read these words.

In Christ alone will I glory,

Though I could pride myself in battle won.
For I have been blessed beyond measure,
And by His strength alone I overcome.
Oh, I could stop and count successes,
Like diamonds in my hand.
But those trophies could not equal, to the grace by which I stand.

In Christ alone,
I place my trust,
And find my glory in the power of the cross.
In every victory, let it be said of me,
My source of strength, my source of hope,
Is Christ alone.

In Christ alone will I glory,

For only by His grace, I am redeemed
And only His tender mercy, could reach
Beyond my weakness to my need.

Now, I seek no greater honor than just to know

Him more
And to count my gains but losses, and to the
Glory of my Lord.

Behind all the hoopla surrounding the greatest comeback in NFL history, you could hear the
question being asked, was God on the Bills' side for that game? The answer, of course, was yes!
But let me also say God was on the Houston Oilers' side as well. You might say, well how could
that be since the Bills won? Let me use this illustration. As the father of two girls (Lia and
Aviry), I love them both very much. When they play a game together, as their father, I am not
concerned with who wins and who loses. What is most important is that they learn the lessons
they are to be taught from playing the game. Many times, I will even help determine the outcome
of their game. This helps to get a point across to one or both girls. In the same way, God looks at
us as His children. He doesn't care who wins or loses a football game, but only that we learn
from each contest and draw closer to Him as a result of what we have learned.

The song "In Christ Alone" has been special to me in many ways. It definitely encouraged me to
have the strength and the courage to come back against the Oilers. But as I would learn almost a
month later, the song had a much deeper message for me to learn. You see, after our crushing 52-
17 loss to the Cowboys in SuperBowl XXVII, I was devastated. The devastation was
compounded by the fact that I had played more than half of the game. I couldn't understand how
God could allow us to get beat like that, especially after the Houston miracle. I was flying home
from Pasadena when I realized the answer. For the first two hours of the trip, I was going crazy
trying to figure out why the SuperBowl went the way it did. Finally, I could take it no longer. I
realized I could be asking the same questions the rest of my life. I needed some peace of mind.
The only thing I could think to do was to put on my headset and listen to "In Christ Alone." I
sought comfort from the song which gave me peace during the stressful week prior to the
Houston game. The message I was now hearing was that we can experience victory in all our
circumstances through Jesus Christ. He gives us the strength and hope to overcome all odds.
Looking back on both the Houston game and the SuperBowl, I realize the circumstances I had to
overcome were nothing compared to what so many hurting people face on a daily basis. That is
why when I think of the song "In Christ Alone" I think of how it inspired me and worked
miracles in my life. I get even more excited about how it can encourage and inspire others whose
trials are much more difficult than those I've written about. My hope and prayer is that people
everywhere will find Jesus as their source of strength and their source of hope.