God Is the Real Deal!

“The truth is the Super Bowl long ago became more than just a football game. It's part of our culture like turkey at Thanksgiving and lights at Christmas, and like those holidays beyond their meaning, a factor in our economy.”  - Bob Schieffer, journalist

Super Bowl XLIX is over. The game winner has been decided. Parties, special media events, celebrity sightings, and endless T.V. updates are now history. It's time to take a deep breath and ease back into normal life again.

The Nielsen Company, reported that more people watched the Patriots defeat the Seahawks than any other program in United States television history. Approximately 114.4 million people tuned in for Super Bowl XLIX.

My family, like millions of others, enjoys watching big, colorful, exciting sporting events like the Super Bowl. It's thrilling to view all of the emotion and buzz that accompanies something of this magnitude. However, as is the case with any hysteria-filled celebration, there is a downside, too.

There are the stories of people who were ripped off by dishonest ticket sellers, drunken brawls that broke out over team loyalties, arrests for solicitation, tresspassing, and credit card fraud; which are only a few of many examples. Unfortunately, this type of behavior is pretty common for a party of this size.

My purpose is not to berate, or admonish anyone here. What I would like, is to have us reconsider something that is easy to overlook. It can be something so obvious, yet hard to see. It could be standing right in front of you, yet ignored. What is it? Idolatry.

Now, I ask you to please hear me out before clicking off the page. I know that idolatry is a topic that is about as much fun to talk about as having a root canal. But all I ask for is a little of your time. Also, I only use the Super Bowl as an example because of it's sheer impact on a very large population of people.

In our modern times, many things compete for our attention. We have the internet, satellite television, video games, and cell phones, which can demand our consideration. Celebrities, sports teams, and reality shows may easily be addded to this list. Even the church and religion can become an idol. We can become so absorbed, captivated, even addicted by them; to the point of "idolizing" them.

Taken in moderation, and used with judgment, they aren't necessarily bad. It's when we turn these things into "idols," and treat them as such; that's when we get into trouble. Saint Augustine wrote that: "Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used or using anything that ought to be worshiped."

I'm not saying that we have to stop watching games, enjoying parties, following our favorite celebrities, hanging out with friends, etc. That's not it at all. What I am saying is to be  conscious that, although these can enhance our enjoyment of life, they can also undermine it if we're not vigilant and focused.

Rebecca Manley Pippert (Hope Has its Reasons, p.50) put it this way: "Playing God is not just difficult, it's impossible." So "we have to look elsewhere for a backup, a homemade God-substitute. We thus spend our lives swinging between the impossible (playing God) and the inadequate (relying on anything short of God to be God.")

In the end, it's fine to enjoy the fun of following our favorite sports teams, celebrities, television programs, etc., just as long as we keep it real. Be mindful that we can easily let these things take over our lives; even to the point of believing that they are life (Leviticus 26:1; Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 4:16; Deuteronomy 5:8).

Scripture: 1 John 5:21; Psalm 16:4; 1 Corinthians 10:14; Exodus 23:13; Judges 10:14

Prayer: Dear God, may You always remain close to my heart; may my thoughts and prayers keep me from putting other things ahead of You; may You have mercy on me if I begin to stray from You and worship this world, instead of You. How awesome it is to know that Your love for me is real, and true; and that, unlike things of this temporal world, it is eternal. Amen

God bless you!

Lacee