Hello ICC Family!
Despite having the normal ambitions of sinking the game-winning three pointer, or homering in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the World Series, growing up I was never anything more than an average athlete. I lettered in soccer and track and field in high school, but my school was pretty small so that is not saying much. The pinnacle of my athletic achievements was as the Kansas State University Intramurals Doubles Horseshoe champion in 1991 and 1992. And even that was a bit of a joke because I was not great. My best friend and horseshoe partner happened to be a Kansas champion so he single-handedly won it for us. I was just along for the ride. Over the years I have never got better at any sport either. So, Laurel is definitely the better athlete in the family.
For some reason, though, I have always enjoyed watching sports, and it doesn’t even matter which sport or whether it is in person or on television. Growing up in Kansas, I watched and rooted for all of the Kansas City teams. The only time any of them won was the 1985 Kansas City Royals baseball team. They had my favorite player, a third baseman named George Brett. After that season, I spent the next 30 years or so following sports and playing fantasy football and baseball even though my favorite teams were always pretty terrible. In 2014 it had been so long since my favorite teams were any good, I was very close to completely giving up on following sports at all. I remember praying quite a bit that spring and summer whether it would be a better use of my time to do something else other than reading sports headlines and following the games, the draft, trades, etc. Anything else. And then that summer the Royals made the World Series, which they won the following year. And quickly after that the Chiefs drafted a quarterback named Patrick Mahomes.
I have been riding high with the Kansas City Chiefs football team ever since - including this Sunday when they will play in the Super Bowl once gain. And to be honest… I quit asking myself whether it would be better to give up following sports completely. It is much more difficult to ask ourselves tough questions when the cost is high. When anything becomes incredibly valuable to us - no matter what it is - it can potentially become an idol. And it is difficult to knock those down so our time and energy and focus can be placed where it should be - on Christ and his kingdom.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Hebrews 12:1-2a
I’m writing this not to say that following sports is a waste of time. Or that having a favorite team or athlete is idolatry. Anything can potentially become an idol in our lives - money, music, family, career, the best-looking lawn… I am pretty much writing this to remind myself to keep asking the question - is there anything I am hesitant to give up in order to run the race of the Christian life better? Is there anything distracting me from fixing my eyes on Jesus?
Take the time today to ask yourself that as well. I will be praying for you and ask that you would pray for me - that the Holy Spirit will convict us of anything that is more precious to us than Jesus. Please join us Sunday for our Sunday discipleship time and as we continue in the book of 1st John. I look forward to seeing you there!
Blessings to you all. And know that I’m praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
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