This week in college football my Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Ann Arbor to take on the University of Michigan in perhaps the biggest rivalry in all college football. Today I'll wear a sweat shirt (since I no longer have a t-shirt) with a Buckeye face. On Saturday I'll tape the game, but probably won't watch it live. It should be a good game.
I know firsthand all the sin that can go into watching this game. Fans hate the rival team. One of the sayings here in Michigan: "Oh how I hate, Ohio State!" And we had our special sayings in Ohio about Michigan. Even one of the traditional songs: "We don't give a ____ for the whole state of Michigan...'cause we're from O-hi-o."
I wonder how we in Jesus should look at all of this. Any readers may not really be into this. But you may be into something that has synonymous or related meaning, in which, like this, one can spend hours thinking about, and getting worked up over it.
I think it's great to have fun and enjoy a good game, and be happy if your team wins, and disappointed if they lose. But we in Jesus need to be careful not to imbibe the spirit of the world in all of this.
And at the same time, let's be involved wholeheartedly in those things that do matter. Not letting these lesser matters be blown up to be greater than the games or fun they're supposed to be. Or participating in something which undermines who we are in Jesus. This won't be easy for many, as many especially of us older Wolverine and Buckeye fans will admit (remember Bo and Woody?) and it involves taking a different direction in how we're involved.
Anyone with a prediction? Or better yet, some thoughts to help us on this?
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11 comments:
Oh, by the way, as a loyal, partisan Buckeye fan, I will say: Ohio State 27-20 (or maybe 27-24, or 27-26: I'd take a one point win over Michigan any and every year!).
I don't know if I'll be able to contribute anything constructive to this, since I'm from New England & all... (hee hee) -Kim
Kim,
Oh, you're one of those! :)
so, those teams don't belong to the ACC, right - so.......
The "original halfmom" link is a xanga - and it should let you post an anonymous comment - see if you can post to mine so we'll know if it's a general xanga problem or a problem wiht just the site you were trying to post to.
if you have trouble getting through the xanga system to leave a comment, let me know and I'll leave one for you and see if we can figure out what the problem is.
You're talking about football, right? Those of us in the San Antonio area only know one sport: Spurs.
Also, I think some of the "hate" rhetoric is part of the game. It's like the villain you love to hate. I enjoy "hating" the Lakers for instance. But I don't really hate them. I just see them as an opponent to beat.
When it comes down to it, I like watching Kobe soar and dunk as much as I like watching Bruce Bowen knock away three pointers.
Or were you talking about football?
a good reminder to be involved whole-heart-edly in those things that do matter and not blowing up the things that of less value.
part of our precarious walk through the unseen battle, keeping our eyes ahd heart on Jesus.
by the way, i deleted the questionable post on my blog.
Susan,
Okay. You're a southerner.
Thanks for offering to help with reference to xanga. I was tired and spent some time trying to get through on Shlomo's site, but I'll try to post on yours and follow your directions. Sometimes this stuff is just weird. I really simply tried to do it without really digging, figuring I could do that this weekend. Thanks again.
Mark,
Yeah, good point. I just think people take hate too literally over here at times. It really becomes personal on both sides. It becomes more than a game, I'm afraid, too often.
"Hate" in the game, fun way is another thing altogether.
Nancy,
Yes. I think enjoying these things is fine and to watch games and root hard for a Christian as well as to do a whole host of other things is a matter of Christian liberty.
Of course we have to watch that something does not become a sin.
Ted:
Good words and Go Bucs!
Thanks, Allan.
Yes, Go Bucs!
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