Football
Alabama is truly a football state. So many live, eat and breathe football - from the wee little fellas all the way to the geriatric ward. Weekend after weekend the stands are filled with enthusiastic, supportive fans. The word fan is a short form of the word fanatic - one meaning of which is; “A person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause.” We raise our children to be fans. We teach them all the players numbers and positions and the coaches names. We teach them all of their statistics; number of tackles, yards rushing, field goal attempts, sacks, etc. Consequently, by raising our children in this environment and making this such an important component of their lives, this perpetuates the fanaticism.
So what is wrong with this? In and of itself, nothing. I say all of this to draw a simple comparison about our fanaticism about our Christian lives.
If Alabama was truly a Christian state; we would live, eat and breathe Christ as Lord and Savior. Weekend after weekend we would fill the churches with enthusiastic and supportive fans of Christ. We would raise our children to be fans. We would teach them all of the books of the Bible and the prophets names. We would teach them the parables of Jesus and how these parables help us live a life for Christ. Consequently, by raising our children in this environment and making this such an important component of their lives, this perpetuates the fanaticism. What a wonderful way to live.
I am not saying that we should not be football fans. I am saying that we should be Christ fans - first and foremost. We should seek God and His righteousnous with the same enthusiasm and zeal as we do other pursuits in our lives. Nothing is more exhilarating than the fact that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords.
September 22nd, 2005 at 7:37 am
I must have step on some toes big time with this post.
September 26th, 2005 at 12:06 pm
I don’t know if it is a matter of stepping on toes, or that it is so sad because it is so true. It is a little depressing to me how easily many people get excited if you just mention football and how many of those same people yawn if you mention Christ. Years ago I was a very exhuberent fan of football, but as I grew, I found that it really didn’t mean too much. I still enjoy pulling for the tide, but what does it matter, really, if they win or lose. Next season will come around, they will play again, and the last season will be forgotten. Not to sound too much like Ecclesiastes, but it is pretty much all meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Win or lose, it will all be forgotten sooner or later. It is only the things done for Christ that will last and be remembered. Not by the world, or even the church (think of five people in your church, can you say who led them to Christ? Probably not), but by our heavenly Father.
September 26th, 2005 at 1:34 pm
I used football here because football does seem so very important. I could have used NASCAR, the PGA or anything that turns our attention from studying, teaching, mentoring, praying. Anyone that knows me knows how I love music. However, if I am not on guard, music can take me far from God and His will for my life. If someone asked me right now to name the 66 books of the Bible, I could probably struggle through it. But ask me the lyrics of any given Pink Floyd and I could spit them out word for word. How can I do that? Repetition and desire. I loved the music and had a deep desire to know it inside and out. I call it passion. Where is my passion for Christ? God forgive me. Pray for me!