The older I get the less
enthralled I am with professional football — and the more irritated I become
with those who are.
I spent much of my early
adult years watching NFL football all Sunday afternoon. I would be anxious to
get out of church by noon so I wouldn’t miss the kickoff. And I would be upset
to leave for Sunday evening services — back when those used to be held — when a
game wasn’t over.
Now I have to wonder why.
None of those games added anything to my life. They just soaked up time that
would have been better spent with my wife and sons. A few years ago I kicked
the pro football habit. I haven’t watched an NFL game, including the Super
Bowl, in quite a while.
I appreciate the skill of
talented athletes, but why should I devote myself to following them? If the
Chiefs or Rams or Bears or Packers win or lose, it doesn’t make any difference.
Unlike in my early adulthood, Americans can now watch pro football not only all
Sunday afternoon and Monday night, but also Sunday night and Thursday night as
well.
Some of my Christian friends
are more devoted to football than they are to the Lord. Are they sitting down
with God for 10 hours a week? Do they post Facebook sayings from God every day as
they do about their favorite team? Do they wear clothing declaring the glory of
God as they do for gridiron players?
I don’t understand all the
hero worship for athletes who fans will never know personally, people whose
personal lives are frequently consumed with immoral behavior. What is this
weird attachment to a violent sport? Is this a diversion to avoid dealing with
important issues in life?
The same people that jump for "joy" at a touchdown or a yard gained are often the ones sitting in catatonic silence while during worship service. Exactly who do they worship?
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