I live in northeast ohio and somehow in the midst of all the madness of games televised I did not get the Ohio State game on a local CBS channel. Instead the game is televised on TNT or TBS or Tru or False or some other channel that you have to pay for. It's really not that bad because in our day and age I just watch the game on March Madness on Demand or get the scores on my smartphone (amazing what luxuries we have!). But, that's really not my point! My point is...I actually found myself complaining about not getting a basketball game on television. That's right - complaining about not seeing a game! Boy, does that ever reveal my sinful nature. I am complaining about not seeing a game; a first round game against Texas-San Antonio or something like that; a game that involves young men who I do not know and most likely never will; a game that will be forgotten in a year if not in a week (as all games are!).
Now anyone that knows me knows my passion for sports but sometimes we need to be reminded just how out of control our passion for sports has gotten. Sports and the entertainment thereof has become an idol in our American culture and sometimes I find myself bowing down at this altar. Too much of our lives are wrapped around an athletic arena instead of the throne room of God.
Here are some questions that I have to ask myself often:
1. Does my heart leap more for a great play than it does to hear the gospel truth?
2. Am I anticipating a game with more excitement than an opportunity to worship our Great God?
3. Would I rather look up statistics on my favorite team than read and understand God's Word greater?
4. Do I view enjoying a sport as a privilege or a need?
5. Am I inconvenienced when my sports viewing is interrupted by either an opportunity to serve someone or to listen to them? (I think my wife slipped that one in!)
Well, too often my cold heart fails the test of these simple questions.
If sports does not have this kind of hold on you - first thank God that you have been able to escape the madness. Second, be sure and apply the same principles to other idols that you may be prone to bow down to!
Before I close I am sure there is someone of the reformed thought that is saying..."remember God gave us all things to enjoy...there is nothing wrong with enjoying the gift of sport". I couldn't agree more but the challenge is in enjoying it as a gift and not worshiping it as only the Giver is worthy of.
All good gifts come from the hand of God for our enjoyment and blessing. The challenge of sport; beauty of an athletic play; courage of the weary; the sacrifice of a teammate; the strategy between coaches; all of these things are why we enjoy the "games". But, let's remember that they are just that - games!
So, if we are going to remember what the reformers taught - let's especially remember what John Calvin taught us: "our hearts are like idol factories" and "our desires are inordinate".
We are natural born worshipers...we will worship something. So may I remind you and myself to not let sports or anything else take the throne of our hearts that only the Lord deserves (during this March Madness or at any other time!). Watch the games, fill out the brackets, root for your team, remember it's just a game, and guard your heart to be white-hot for God alone!
Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.(I John 5:21)
