Growing up, I spent many of my childhood afternoons staring at the t.v. as I watch the Kentucky Wildcats, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Cardinals, or Los Angeles Lakers compete in their respective sports. No matter what the season, I had a favorite team. It didn’t stop there though because watching was never enough. I collected football, baseball, and basketball cards. I had hats, shirts, and pennants. I accumulated sports figures, videos, and autographs.
Yet, I'm not the fan I used to be.
As I grew older, my love of sports and competition only increased. As my income changed, so did the money I spent on my addiction. I began attending sports events. I saw the Rams on the 40 yard line, Kentucky play Indiana at the RCA dome and the St. Louis Cardinals play several times. I was there when Notre Dame beat Navy in overtime. I went to Colts games, Pacer games, and even traveled to Cincinnati to watch the Reds play in their new stadium along the river.
Yet, I'm not the fan I used to be.
As my career began to unfold, I purchased a large screen TV. to keep up. I watched Sports Center several times a day (in case I missed something). I even bought the NFL ticket through my satellite t.v. service. That's right - up to 14 games a week throughout the 17 week season! I watched my Oakland Raiders each week whether they were on regular t.v. or not. I flipped channels like a madman making sure that I watched the end of close games live while others would have to watch the highlights.
Yet, I'm not the fan I used to be.
Because something inside of me changed. I reached a point in my life where I began to realize that sports and the pursuit of such pleasures bring no real satisfaction at all. Each season is proceeded by the next. Each champion is soon eclipsed by another. Each year as I supported one team or another and saw them rise to glory or experience the agony of defeat I realized that being a "fanatic" was killing me spiritually.
We live in a day and age in which our sports are celebrated at unprecedented levels. The Super Bowl is broadcasted around the world. The NCAA Basketball Tournament is a multi-million dollar (if not billion dollar) industry. Yet, what does it really accomplish? Why did I choose for so long to make sports such an idol? To grow up desiring to be Bo Jackson instead of Billy Graham?
Its an answer I may never fully know. Yet, I have come to the understanding that to finish life well will involve removing my trophies and tearing down my idols.
I'm not the fan I used to be.
Peggy Noonan, writing for Forbes magazine, and speaking to the "need" for Americans to celebrate diversity, promiscuity, and various other sins in the name of tolerance stated "What you applaud you encourage but be careful about what you celebrate." These are powerful words. Americans celebrate the love of competition and their sports. We, as a society, hold sports entertainment up and celebrate it as if it's all that is good. We need to be careful about what we celebrate. What we celebrate is an indication of what's most important to us.
Apologist Ravi Zacharias stated that "Meaninglessness does not come from the result of too much pain. Meaninglessness comes from the result of too much pleasure." King Solomon echoed his thoughts. After having spent an entire lifetime in pursuit of all that would bring meaning in life, he stated in Ecclesiastes 12:13 - "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person."
Jesus said it this way in Matthew 16:26 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?".
We can get caught up in the pursuit of living our lives for the purpose of seeking pleasure. We can allow sports and entertainment to be the medicating sedative that will numb our senses spiritually and enable us to "escape" the difficulties of life. In the process, we may find that what has really escaped us is the ability to become a true disciple of Christ.
I still enjoy sports. I still watch football and basketball. However, I do not feel the need to watch every game and be a "true fan". Call it silly, temporary, or even a sign of maturity. I'll call it a change of heart.
I'm not the fan I used to be.
And I thank God for it.
Joshua
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