Do you have a greater allegiance and enthusiasm for sports than your Savior?
From the casual season ticket holders to the face painters, people love sports. Whether it be college, pro and their kids’ soccer match, adults get swept away in the passion of cheering for the favorite (and in some cases, against their most hated) sports teams.
In “Little Steps Big Faith,” author Dawn Rundman recounts a truly revealing story about one of her students, Brad. Brad was a new dad, sharing stories about his newborn and he LOVED the University of Tennessee football team. Rundman details key moments in Brad’s stories: watching games with his daughter, wearing the bright orange outfits and the passion behind his fandom.
Tennessee Volunteers football fans cheering photo/ screenshot YouTube
When Brad’s daughter was to be baptized he made this shocking claim when asked about the church/location because they weren’t member of any church: “We thought we’d get her baptized now, and then when she grows up, she can decide.”
Rundman was struck by the statement, as am I.
Brad, like many fans, are much more passionate about sports than they are matters of faith.
“Instead of claiming his position as one of the two people who could most significantly shape his daughter’s earliest experiences with God, faith, and the church, Brad adopted a wait-and-see perspective,” Rundman writes, adding later that class drove Brad to have the “same enthusiasm and commitment he showed on game days.”
So, let me ask: Do we shy away from praise and worship with our hands held high, yet jump and cheer at a key touchdown or 3-point shot? Is it easier to get up early, drive and prepare for the tailgate ahead of a game, but struggle to roll out of bed to honor and worship God in His house?
Please don’t take this as judgment, because even with a finger point outward, I still have three pointing back at me.
I make excuses. We all have.
Psalms 145 is full of praise, more importantly, promise to praise:
Verses 1-2 “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.”
Verses 5-6: “5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. 6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.”
and Verse 10: “All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.”
If only we could see the Saturday and Sunday passion and excitement on Sunday mornings in God’s house. Let us pray that March Madness enthusiasm could infect congregations to bring about a renewed fire and excitement for the Gospel. Lord, help us honor and praise you with the passion each and everyday, more than any other aspect of our life.
Get your copy of Dawn Rundman’s “Little Steps Big Faith” on her site HERE or Amazon HERE.
