Nothing But Fun
If you have been following the World Cup--and I realize that this limits my already limited readership--you know that the United States' World Cup run ended last week when the US lost to Ghana, 2-1. Fortunately, I have a summer job that lets me watch all the World Cup I want, so I have been able to follow it closely, and I have naturally been most closely following the US team. I remember feeling like I had been slapped in the face when the Czechs beat us 3-0. I also remember jumping clear out of my seat when Eric Dempsey scored the lone goal of the cup off of an American foot.
Even though the US is out, I am still watching and enjoying the World Cup. I am especially looking forward to the the Brazil-France quarterfinal match on Saturday. The last time a country besides Brazil or France has won a World Cup was 1990. This match will feature some of the world's premiere athletes like Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho; if you haven't heard of them, you probably live in the US. This game could also be the last World Cup match for two legends, Zinedine Zidane of France and Ronaldo of Brazil. Don't get the impression that these two guys are out for one last stroll around the pitch before they limp into the sunset. Both of them scored in their most recent matches.
So what's the deal with sports? In case you haven't noticed, I really enjoy sports. I enjoy playing and watch sports of all shapes and sizes, and I usually do more watching than playing because...let's just say I'm no David Beckham. But is enjoying sports a good thing? Here are a couple principles I have thought about:
Participate- Participating in sports is an all-around good thing. It's healthy. It provides plenty of opportunities to meet people or build relationships with friends. It's flat out fun, so grab some friends and a football or a frizbee and find a park.
Enjoy- Whether you're watching or playing sports, you should never forget to enjoy the activity and say, "Praise God, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Enjoy the way God has made your body able to kick a soccer ball, make a three-pointer, sink a putt, or swing a bat.
The danger of sports is when we take the focus off enjoying God and place it on enjoying ourselves. This is when we become obsessed. This is when we get over-competitive. This is when we make a pick-up basketball game the "Relive My Glory Days" show.
So whether you're watching or playing sports, enjoy them as a gift from an awesome God who shows his majesty in his creation. And if you leave the focus there, sports should be nothing but fun.
Even though the US is out, I am still watching and enjoying the World Cup. I am especially looking forward to the the Brazil-France quarterfinal match on Saturday. The last time a country besides Brazil or France has won a World Cup was 1990. This match will feature some of the world's premiere athletes like Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho; if you haven't heard of them, you probably live in the US. This game could also be the last World Cup match for two legends, Zinedine Zidane of France and Ronaldo of Brazil. Don't get the impression that these two guys are out for one last stroll around the pitch before they limp into the sunset. Both of them scored in their most recent matches.
So what's the deal with sports? In case you haven't noticed, I really enjoy sports. I enjoy playing and watch sports of all shapes and sizes, and I usually do more watching than playing because...let's just say I'm no David Beckham. But is enjoying sports a good thing? Here are a couple principles I have thought about:
Participate- Participating in sports is an all-around good thing. It's healthy. It provides plenty of opportunities to meet people or build relationships with friends. It's flat out fun, so grab some friends and a football or a frizbee and find a park.
Enjoy- Whether you're watching or playing sports, you should never forget to enjoy the activity and say, "Praise God, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Enjoy the way God has made your body able to kick a soccer ball, make a three-pointer, sink a putt, or swing a bat.
The danger of sports is when we take the focus off enjoying God and place it on enjoying ourselves. This is when we become obsessed. This is when we get over-competitive. This is when we make a pick-up basketball game the "Relive My Glory Days" show.
So whether you're watching or playing sports, enjoy them as a gift from an awesome God who shows his majesty in his creation. And if you leave the focus there, sports should be nothing but fun.
posted by Ben Blakey at 6:48 AM
2 Comments:
Thanks for the healthy perspective. God has given us so much to enjoy, but we tend to either enjoy it to the point of forgetting about Him, or avoid it in an effort to be more 'spiritual'. Instead we need to be thankful for all that God has given us, and enjoy it to His glory.
hahahahahah.... I just thought of a great sports movie starring you... we'll call it "Bend It Like Blakey"...... hahahahahaha
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