My wife will be the first to tell you that I watch way too much ESPN. I love playing and watching sports and just can’t get enough, whether it’s football, basketball, or baseball.
Recently I’ve have been trying to cut back little by little. And I’ve also been observing more and more how our American passion for football has become an obsession for many as they worship at the altar of the NFL. Is there really that much difference between the Greek and Roman religion that worshipped gods represented by animals and heroic figures and the hundreds of thousands of people who pack into a stadium to celebrate and cheer on the Bears, Eagles, Yankees, Lakers, Tigers, and Colts?
Nothing on television is growing as far as ratings are concerned because of the popularization of cable television and all of the alternatives out there. But the NFL ratings have annually increased. The Super Bowl is always the highest rated TV program of the year. I just heard two radio commentators discussing the unstoppable popularity of football in America and how across the country regular people like to discuss the NFL whether at work or home or with complete strangers they’ve just met.
Our country worships football. There is no denying it.
It’s disappointing as a Christian fan, but it’s easier to see since my Bears aren’t any good and I have less real reason to be obsessed week to week.
And then there’s Kurt Warner and Tony Dungy. Two men who have made their names in this entertainment sport and who are consistently lauded by non-Christians for their impeccable character. They both have received some criticism for minor issues throughout their career but as these men have retired from active involvment, their career epitaph is completely positive and admirable.
They give me hope for sports in general and football in particular, though it’s not like I was seriously considering walking away from being a fan. Their testimonies are great examples of being salt and light. Admired and respected by the world, yet still standing for Christ and being faithful to the truth. I am jealous. I hope my life can follow that same path. I hope God allows me to be in the world enough to be a light but not of the world so much that I completely blend in.
Last 5 posts by Lee Compson
- Here we go again - August 30th, 2010
- Senior Pastor - Berean Bible Church, New Orleans LA - August 27th, 2010
- Senior Pastor - Cornerstone Community Church, Millersburg OH - August 26th, 2010
- Senior Pastor - Faith Bible Church, Oxford OH - August 26th, 2010
- Senior Pastor – Oakfield-Alabama Baptist Church, Corfu NY - August 20th, 2010