How many times a week do you watch Sports Center? How much time do you spend daily talking about sports with your friends? I realize that for many girls this is not an issue, but for us guys in out there, alot of us spend a massive amount of time consumed, controlled, and driven by the sports world. What would your life be like if you didn't have sports? How much time would you say you would have without sports in your life? This last Sunday ended a 40 day fast from all but college football for me. That's right I said it 40 days! IT was tough!!!! Let me tell you I spent hours sitting in my room reading, or doing anything I could to distract myself from the fact I could not tunr on the TV and watch Sport Center. But something that I came to realize in this time, was that it was something that controlled me. It was an idol I had put before God.
How often do we do this to God? How many more times will you do it before you realize that your prayers are useless in these times when you put these thigns like football and food, and any other number of things first? Don't think you are alone in this fight, there are some many things that we put before God, and it shouldn't be. So I pose this question to all you fellow sports fans, and fellow Christian men, and women... will you serve God or will you serve your selfish desires, and evil desires and put God off? Galatians 3:27 says this: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." This idea of baptism means that we have died to ourselves, and in this the verse says we have "put on Christ." When you wake in the morning and get dressed, how many of us go to the closet and see our favorite Oklahoma shirt, or whatever sports team you rout for, and "put on" that shirt? I know that on Saturdays I make it my goal to wear as much OU gear as I can find, I go out and buy new OU shirts, and hats, and I wear the jerseys, and go to the games. But how many times a week do I get up and "put on Christ?" This is a challenge that I pose to all of you sports fans: everyday get up, and instead of putting on your favorite sports team, get up and "put on Christ." So this is the actual challenge in this... what are you willing to sacrafice to "put on Christ?"
Comments?
Things God laid on your heart to sacrafice?
I've said this to your sister, and I'll say it to you - I wish there were more Christians like you. I really admire how you strive to follow Christ's teachings, and not the bastardized version that some close-minded, hateful "followers" have come up with.
ReplyDeleteThough I'm not a Christian, I strive every day to follow my moral code - treat everyone with open-mindedness, equality, and respect, forgive others whenever possible, do as little harm and as much good as possible, and be mindful of everyone around me. If more people did this, religious and non-religious alike, the world would be a much better place :)