In Western PA and Wisconsin this week, there is only one thing on everyone’s mind: the Super Bowl between the Steelers and Packers. So how are we to remain devoted to God in the midst of local cultures whose singular focus is the Big Game? All week long, I will offer daily Super Bowl themed devotionals here on this blog.
Read Matthew 7:21-29
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” – Matt. 7:21
It’s nearly impossible to live in the United States of America right now without knowing there’s a Super Bowl coming up. For two weeks every year, the biggest football game in the world is discussed, advertised, analyzed, and predicted. It is hyped and over-hyped, and every year it seems the conversation becomes louder and larger. The game itself takes 3 hours to play, and yet we need two full weeks to prepare. So, for every hour of the game, we spend 100 hours in preparation.
We’ve spent a week hearing about the game, and we’re still only halfway there. Could we please have a little less talk, and a lot more action? Kick-off cannot come soon enough.
At times, we too are guilty of too much talk and not enough action. We spend two weeks talking about how to follow Christ, and only a few hours actually following. We say, “Lord, Lord,” but we do not do God’s will. We are not to be merely hearers and speakers of the word, but doers as well.
We all have things that we intend to do, and we spend endless amounts of time thinking and planning what we will do in Christ’s name. But in the end, it’s all hype, because we never pick up the ball and run with it.
What deeds are you hyping rather than living? Have you talked about joining a Bible Study? Have you been thinking of a new ministry you could start at your church? Do you keep planning to invite your neighbor to worship on Sunday, but haven’t carried out those plans? Are you considering the decision to drop all you have and follow Jesus Christ for the first time?
Stop talking! Start doing! Grab the football, tee it up, and kick-off already!
Hi Erik.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you're doing this devotion. It it less rebellious and therefore probably more helpful than my attitude.
I get so upset at the hype over sports and the lukewarm attitude toward God - the willingness to move heaven and earth to get to a sporting event yet skipping church or its events due to a snowflake or something "better" that has come along. It seems the athlete worship has no bounds and is increasing. My attitude tends to be an intentional lack of interest, as if that could slow down the bus. It doesn't work, really. It just makes me feel like I'm doing SOMETHING. So, I like your approach, which will probably alienate fewer fans and actually get them to pay attention. I hope...