Sports the Religion of Men

Any one that knows me well , knows I do like sports. Not all sports, but the two that I will follow with some degree of consistency is , the NHL and NFL . Beyond that , I have a general knowledge of basketball,baseball,tennis,soccer and golf . However hockey and football are in my mind , the two most exciting sports in the world.

In the world of men , sports has become as close to a mans religion as you can get . They follow teams with religious fervor. Often having their moods effected by outcomes to major games . I know because I used to be one . I still recall having a sick , almost unbearable day after one of my teams lost in dramatic fashion ,so close to going to the championship. We identify ourselves with t-shirts,coffee mugs,decals etc..

If the team is the temple of worship , then players are the apostles . Each fan will have  favorite player . Picking a couple off their teams . They will know the stats and actively follow the players career .Putting the number of their favorite on a t-shirt at the very least. I seen more drastic fans even getting tattoo's .

The service is the TV or sporting venue , where men will gather in living rooms, an arena or sport bar to watch the spectacle take place . They will cheer,boo and engage the game as if it was a really important part of their lives. The game the next day will be discussed ,dissected and analyzed to death. We can talk for hours on end about the game . I have been guilty of this .

But this strikes me as very sad. Men will talk for hours in reality about  entertainment like it really matters.For in truth , it is entertainment In the grand scheme of things , it really doesn't at all. We can chat for hours about trade talks but switch the subject to more tangible things like real life and men , in general, clam up. I'm not talking about touchy ,get in touch with your inner child foolishness but just being real. How are you really doing in your life.

For men to open up about their burdens,fears,struggles,hopes and even sins , looks like weakness . Its safer to talk about things that really have not real baring in how we live.Men can hide behind sports talk   , thinking they are connecting . When in truth all you are really getting is a very superficial view of the person.

As men we need to forge relationships where we can talk openly and honestly , without shame. A man shows more strength in sharing his life , than hiding behind empty talk.


[2] Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
(Galatians 6:2 ESV)

As Christian men , we need to take this verse to heart. It will make us move in area we may not be comfortable at first but the pay off far out ways the discomfort. To bear each others burdens , means being real with our lives. Christ loved , so should we. He gave , so should we . He laid down his life , so should we.He forgave,so should we . He rebuked , so should we. He restored the broken,so should we as men.

Its fun to chat about the game .Its great to get together and cheer but lets make sure we do not stay there . May we really care ,love and help . To use a sports cliché , its time to get off the sidelines and get in the game . The game of life where its heaven or hell.