Super Bowl Sunday. I could easily ignore this strictly American phenomenon
and pass on the game without a mention. I am not an avid sports fan, although I
do enjoy watching a well-played game on occasion. I grew up in an era when
baseball was The Great American Sport. In many ways, baseball is
still the greatest sport played in this country, but it is clear that football
has supplanted it as King of Sports in America.
The spectacle that a very high percentage of people in this country will
find themselves united in watching this evening is grandiose beyond
description. Every facet of the broadcast from the introduction, through the
game itself, the half-time gala, and the presentation of the spoils of war
at the finale will be over the top. It is so designed. The intent of all who
planned and all who participate is to assault our eyes and ears with stimuli
above and beyond.
Yet even as we are politically divided as a nation, we will be a divided
unity, so to speak, in support of the heroes of the turf. For no game can be
played without the taking of sides. I surprised myself a few minutes ago in
talking with my brother-in-law, for it seems that I do know who the opponents
shall be tonight. It isn’t that I really care, but rather a fact of life. Our
fixation on sports and the “heroes” who engage therein is such that we are
flooded with information that we often do not seek.
Paul wrote, “Don’t you know that they which run in a race run all, but one
receives the prize? So run that you may obtain.” (I Corinthians 9:24) And so
it is with this spectacle, for even during the pre-season last summer, every
team in the NFL had its eye set on the prize. And yet, this evening, but one of
them will be crowned Champion of the World.
And again, an admonition that we are given to apply in our spiritual life,
may apply to the combatants in this final football showdown of the year.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset
us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews
12:1) To each team, set aside every impediment and play patiently. (Oh, yes, I
know that there are fans for whom razzle-dazzle and showmanship trumps patience
and hard work, but that is not the winning way.)
Paul also told us (one of my favorite scriptures) “Physical exercise
profits little.” (I Timothy 4:8) Okay, perhaps with the exception of the hard
work it takes for the gladiators whose goal it is to win a championship. Yet
the crux of the matter is contained in the rest of the verse, which says, “But
godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is
and of that which is to come.” So in the combining of physical exercise with
godliness we all may find gain.
Good luck, football players; happy times, football fans. Have a great
evening. I’ll probably be watching a movie.
9 comments:
Excellent reminders. And my husband will be watching it for the football, but I'll be watching it for the commercials.
So much to think about in this post.
I'm going to a Super Bowl party. Some there will actually be watching the game. Some will be playing board games. All will be eating. I have my food prepared.
Shelly, there you go, then. Something for everyone. Enjoy!
Vee, and at your party, something for everyone! Have fun!
I can honestly admit to not knowing which teams are playing tonight. I do know that there are brothers involved, but that is pretty much the extent of my knowledge or interest in the Media Bowl.
I will be happily ironing (you know when I'm happily ironing that there is NOTHING else to do)for an hour to whatever else is on the tube during that time. I love how they put on "chick flicks" to woo the women who aren't excited about football or commercials.
On that thought--why do men always say to us women when we balk at going to super bowl parties: "You can watch the commercials!" Yeah. I Love commercials so much. Really???!
Lin, happily ironing? Now there is an enigma.
Yeah, there's so much hype about the super bowl commercials, I mean it's like the whole shtick is a commercial for the commercials. I don't get it, either.
We didn't watch the musical that we talked about. Instead we were entertained by Tom Hanks in Cast Away. We found it enjoyable.
Chuck, I liked Cast Away. Last night, we watched The Bucket List. Again. Fun movie, except for all the dying stuff.
not a fan of football or hype- combined, yeckkkk. Godliness appeals, but sometimes is very far out of reach.
Shark, attaining godliness isn't a me-only task.
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