While sitting in a Phoenix airport terminal late one Sunday night in January, I began to watch history unfold. Earlier in the day Lovie Smith (Chicago Bears) became the first African-American head coach to win the NFC Championship and earn an appearance in the coveted Super Bowl. Soon it appeared that my friend Tony Dungy would join him in this heralded event. As Tony lifted the Lamar Hunt Trophy (presented to AFC Champions) overhead, I began to think of Queen Esther in her unique position, “For if you remain silent at this time…relief will arise from another place…and who knows you have come to a position for such a time as this…” (Esther 4:14). Later that night I made a few phone calls to see where God would take this unique opportunity and then prayed that He would be the focus of whatever would come next.

There are times in life where certain opportunities exist for merely a moment then they’re gone, never to return again. I knew this was such a moment in history—two African-American head coaches, but more importantly two Christians—were headed to the Super Bowl.

As I prayed aloud and handed out Colts’ Real People, Real Faith booklets (personal faith stories of current pro athletes) throughout the airport, God brought forth an idea that had the potential to impact millions with the gospel. This idea would enable and empower the body of Christ to operate as it was designed to do—in a unified manner that would pragmatically display the glory of God and bring all glory to Him.

Given an extremely rigid time frame this idea was beyond the possibility of any human production and the probability of successful execution (with limited time and resources). Nonetheless, I knew that if the body of Christ failed to respond to the monumental evangelistic opportunity, the fields seasoned for harvesting would possibly be missed. I was reminded that in Christ all things are possible, and we resolutely pressed on with faith and determination that things would come together.

After contacting our willing partners (Campus Crusade staff, Journey Communication, and a number of ministry partners) it was great to see how everyone worked together as one mind with one heart. (It truly is really amazing to see how much can get accomplished when each partner is not concerned about who gets the credit or recognition along the way!)

Within 10 days, I saw the birthing of an idea, the financial provision, the construction and launching of a web site, and the completion of a national full page ad. I witnessed God open peoples’ hearts through the video and written testimonies of coaches and athletes. I saw my personal faith grow as a result. As I watched this modern-day miracle unfold I was, and am truly, humbled by what He is doing!

Has God ever asked you to do something beyond your limitations? Think of the saints of old that have gone before us. Consider Joshua following the death of Moses. Joshua was asked to lead the Israelites into uncharted territories, with limited understanding, but with God’s reassurance: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Our God is limitless! Where God guides, God provides and multiplies. “He is able to do more than we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). Continually embrace the lack of clarity at times when you are walking by faith, fully knowing that this requires you to up the level of trust. God is no less present in the vagueness of following Him. He is asking you to trust Him in a deeper and more intimate way.

As of February 8th, the “Beyond the Ultimate” web site has been viewed by more than 213,000 people. The life-changing gospel message delivered through the web site www.beyondtheultimate.org has resulted in over 1,100 people making a first-time profession of faith. Thousands more are indicating an interest in finding out more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Viewers have watched both Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy’s video testimonies and God continues to use their unique platforms to stir the hearts of men and women. Furthermore, other ministries are partnering with this evangelistic tool and we are witnessing a wonderful synergistic effect.

Each day God is asking and urging us to be individuals who will defy our finite humanness and dare to TRUST HIM for things that, when they happen, can only be attributed to HIM.

Will you trust Him to go Beyond the Ultimate (www.beyondtheultimate.org)?

Praying for God-sized impact!

Bill