What if…
What if we got as excited about Christ and his good news for all mankind as we got about sports?
As we watch the battle lines being drawn between the ‘towel-waving crazies’ and the ‘cheese-headed hoard’, it begs the question, “What’s the big deal?”
Now, don’t get me wrong, I grew up in Pittsburgh and still remember watching Super bowl IX at my friends house (they had a colored television)! And I will always cheer for whatever Pittsburgh team happens to be competing (although, it is really tough to get excited about baseball).
But seriously, it’s not like I have some vested interest in the outcome of the game – I don’t get anything other than ‘bragging-rights if my team wins. And when it comes right down to it, being able to claim to be from an area (along with nearly 2 ½ million locals and a myriad of other former residents) that has a winning sports team doesn’t really carry much weight – I can’t even get a free cup of coffee because of it! It’s worse than the little kid who proclaims, “My dad can beat up your dad!” We’re adults saying, “A bunch of guys I don’t know can beat up a bunch of guys you don’t know!” It really is ridiculous when you think about it.
So it begs the question, “why all the hoopla over something that really has no value to or impact on me?”
Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life, willingly allowed himself to die (a miserable death) and rose again conquering death, to enable me (and anyone else who is willing to ask for forgiveness and make him Lord of their life) to have eternal life in Heaven with him for all of eternity (JN 3:16). And, as if that weren’t enough, he provides all I need to live life to the fullest here on earth (JN 10:10). Now there is something to get excited about! There is something that I have a vested interest in! That’s so much more than being able to say (as a spectator) that my team won.
Now, I’m not even sure what the spiritual equivalent of a “Terrible Towel” or a foam “Cheese-Head” is, but don’t you think it’s about time we started cheering for things that actually matter? For things that do have a direct bearing on us? For things of eternal consequence?
Imagine the change in our lives if we would put as much effort into memorizing scripture as we put into remembering stats. Imagine the impact on others’ lives if we spoke of the love of Christ like we tout the ‘benefits’ of following some particular team. Imagine a world where followers of Christ got as excited about the Gospel as followers of sports got about their favorite athletes!
What if we got as excited about Christ and his good news for all mankind as we got about sports?
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