Why Does It Matter?
Last Thursday evening I sat and watched my beloved Packers get overpowered by last year’s world champion Seattle Seahawks. I knew it would be a tough game, but I thought Aaron Rodgers and company would at least give a good showing.Nothin' doing. They were annihilated.And I sat there with a pit in my stomach and nerves on edge. I was sad and angry.And then I thought, “Why does this bother me? Why does it even matter?” I mean, this is a bunch of grown-up kids all dressed in costumes being paid millions of dollars to throw and and kick a lop-sided ball around a giant playground. It’s a game! No one’s life is at stake. No one is going hungry. They are not trying to invent a new miracle drug. It’s just a game.Why does it matter to me?Fact is, it shouldn’t. It shouldn’t to you either. Not that there is anything wrong with loving sports, enjoying following a team, and getting excited about a big win. But shouldn’t football, or baseball, or hockey, or any kind of sport or game fall low on our list of priorities? Should a football game even be considered a priority? It is a game, right? And isn’t that the definition of a game?But for some reason, it’s the silliest of things that capture our attention and hijack our passions. There are certainly a lot of good life lessons that can be gleaned from sports. But I fear that we are more focused on the sport than the life lessons gleaned from them.It reminds me of Paul’s words, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8 NKJV).So agreed, there is some profit to sports. But let’s keep it in perspective. Our walk with Christ and love for one-another ought to take precedence. And that is a huge understatement. There should be no comparison. Even when it comes basketball, hockey or football, Jesus, and our walk with him is to be far above athletics. Jesus first. Even when it comes to our love of sports. Actually, I should say, “especially."Maybe I wrote this so you wouldn't hate me for being a Packer fan in Bear country. But it was a good reminder for me, and I thought coming off a tough Bears loss, it could also be helpful for you.Why do you think sports ignites our passions the way they do?