Why are we crazy about sports?

I have a confession--last night I stayed up ridiculously late to watch the Texas Rangers blow the sixth game of the World Series against St Louis.  The outcome of that game will not directly affect my life in any shape or fashion--but none the less I sat with pounding heart trying to see the Rangers win their first world series.  Why?

Why would I use four-and-a-half hours watching a baseball game?

I remember years ago being confronted about my--and our culture's--obsession with sports.  It was when my oldest son was a senior in high school and being recruited as a place kicker for college football.  After visits to a few universities with serious football programs I was beginning to wonder about the priorities of my culture.  My son was getting more attention and college offers than one of his best friends who was the valedictorian of the class.  No local papers ran photos and wrote articles about the academic accomplishments of Joey, the valedictorian.  But we have a collection of articles with photos and stats of our son.

One morning in my prayer time I believe God gave me an insight.  Here it is for your consideration--in a complex society people search for something concrete.  Sports becomes the escape from the complexity of our society.  In sports everyone knows who wins and who looses.  Our enjoyment of sports is based upon our understanding of the rules and objectives.  (This is why I struggle with enjoying hockey--I don't understand icing!)

Perhaps this is also why so many churches are stagnant or declining--we have lost clear sight of our objective.  Jesus was pretty clear with His purpose--"to seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:10).

Perhaps we can become excited again about life and church when we break it down to the simple "seeking and saving the lost."

And yes, I will be watching game seven tonight--although it will be tape delayed because I get to have my grandkids spend the night.  So my game will start about 9:00.  Grandkids trump everything--even sports!

What is the Most Important Thing I Can Do for God?

That is a big question!  Some might say we should be out winning the lost.  Others would say that we should care for the widows and orphans.  Some might say the most important thing would be to build more churches or schools.

But when I read John 15 I hear Jesus say that our first priority is to “remain” or “abide” in the vine.  The Greek word means, “to remain, continue, stand firm.”

Much of what we attempt to do for Jesus fails to reach its full potential because we fail to get the first part right—we do not begin from a position of remaining in Christ.  There are a lot of good ideas that were not “God ideas.”  I believe that “God ideas” are birthed from our time standing in the presence of God.

In a western culture that values action and busyness it is hard to carve out the intentional time to “remain” in the presence of God.  But the most important thing I can do for God is “remain” in His presence.

When Gabriel introduced himself to Zacharias in Luke 1 he identified himself as “Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.”  He was the same Gabriel who brought God’s word to Daniel in the Old Testament 600 years earlier.  He is also the angel who came to Mary to announce God’s plan for the birth of Jesus.  From scriptures we know that Gabriel was a warrior and messenger for Almighty God.  But when he introduced himself the focus was on one thing, “I stand in the presence of God.”

I challenge each of us to look at our daily schedule and see when we can carve out a few moments to “remain” or “stand” in the presence of God.  If you don’t have a regular pattern of time with God start with five minutes a day.  Read a passage of scripture and ask God what He wants you to get from that passage.

If you have been following God for some time, try 15 minutes a day.  Read some Scripture, ask for God to show you His truth, and then share with God your hurts and needs.  As you begin to make this a regular habit you will need more time—and you will discover some “God ideas” and directions.