Cheering for Your Favorite Sports Team

 September 10, 2023
 
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
I enjoy sporting events, especially college football and basketball.  For a whole lot of years, Saturday was football at Kinnick Stadium, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes.  Now, I don’t go anymore.  What I’ve discovered is this.  At the start of the game, there is no better place to be than in the stadium.  The roar of the crowd is electrifying.  But at the end of the game, there is no better place to be than on your living room couch.
 
Whether it be college or professional sports, there is one thing I wish would change.  Whenever an athlete makes a big play they jump around, flex their arms, and make some sort of inaudible (maybe for the better) sound.  They pound their chest and, to be frank, they look like apes.  If they make a touchdown, score a basket, isn’t that what they are supposed to do?  Why act then like it’s the first time they’ve ever made a play? Just get ready for the next play!  Act like you’ve done this before.
 
On the other hand, those in the stands act the same way, chest bumps, high fives, swearing, and all sorts of carrying on.  Come on people.  It’s just a game—and you’re not even playing in it.  Then there’s the walk back to your car.  If you’re a visitor, whether your team wins or loses, the home crowd taunts you to no end.  Is this a war or a game?  Keep it in perspective.
 
When all is said and done, does anyone even remember who won the rivalry last year?
 
But the exuberance of a game day experience might be one of the many euphoric feelings we’ll realize in heaven.  Can you imagine the chorus of worship when Jesus stands?  Oh wait, maybe we’ll fall to our knees with our head bowed low to the ground.  I can only imagine….
 
Bowing in reverence to the King,
Pastor Allan
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