There are times, though, when I wonder if I am wasting my time with something that is really not that important in the grand scheme of things. I wonder if I should be focusing on things that are more eternal, or dedicating more time to the important relationships in my life. I think about the service I could be doing in my community, or even the endless list of projects I have planned for my home. And then I hear this little voice in the back of my head…”OOOHHHHH…..C-A-T-S, CATS, CATS, CATS!”
Man, I love Kentucky sports. I can’t help it. So instead of putting my effort into trying to find things I should be doing instead of representing the Big Blue Nation, I shall now focus on finding a way to justify this passion of mine. Join me on this journey, will you?
1. Fellowship. – There are very few things in life that bring people together like sports. Whether you are just trying to break the ice, or you are looking for a friend for life, sports is never a bad place to start. And if you believe life is all about relationships, and I certainly do, you have to agree that sports can be a great venue for fellowship and relationship building.
2. Life lessons. – Okay, so being a sports fan may not provide life changing lessons. However, being a member of a sports team does. And as I hope my children will someday learn valuable lessons in discipline, hard work, humility, and teamwork, watching sports with them now will go a long way toward getting them interested in playing when they get older.
3. It helps my witness. – If I am going to live in a world full of sports fans, I need to be able to play the part.
“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NIV)
4. God cares about sports. – That may be the most controversial sentence I have ever written. I am not saying that God prefers one team over another or plays a part in who wins. However, it is undeniable that God loves each and every person involved in every sporting event. And if a sport happens to be a large part of their lives, I truly believe that God cares about that.
I believe God cares about the interactions that coaches and athletes have with teammates and other players. I think He provides opportunities for those involved to serve Him in ways that others simply can not access. After all, He gave them the talent. Why would He not want them to use their platform for His glory? Oh yeah, God cares about sports…just not the same why I do.
There, now I feel better about watching sports so much. How about you?