In my first marriage I was a sports widow. Whatever sport was on TV, you can guarantee that my ex-husband would be glued to it. So I decided to do something about it. I decided to learn about the game called football. Picking my favorite team was easy enough. Being born and raised in Wisconsin, it was a given. So I picked the Green Bay Packers. Then I learned the rules of the game, I follow the players, and learned the terminology. I am a faithful follower of the Packers to this day whether they win or lose.
When I remarried, imagine my surprise when I found out that my mostly non-sports inclined husband is a die-hard Chicago Bears fan. (they are the Packers fans rivalry).
So on a normal quiet Sunday, the snacks come out, the TV is tuned to the sports channel, and the normal, quiet Sunday isn't normal anymore with all the screaming and booing that goes on when the Bears play the Packers. But after the game is over, the winner of the victorious team gets to boast while the other congrats the winner and sulks until the teams are matched up again. Then the rivalry starts all over again.
Just like football, I am also a die-hard fan of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And just like football, when I decided to become a Christian, I dove in with my whole heart. I soak up scriptures like a sponge. I love reading the stories in the Old Testament because it reminds me of God's grace for me and others. Like football, I root for my brothers & sisters in Christ. I encourage them and love on them while they are down. I also do as it says in Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another".
In football, you will find a diverse group of people that like different teams. While I can't comprehend why they don't all like the Packers, they just don't. The same goes for the world. There is such a diversity of people. Some claim to be "religious", some claim to be "spiritual" and some others claim to be "new age". And some people even claim to be Atheists. And that are those, (such as myself) that claim that they aren't religious, but instead have a "relationship" with Jesus Christ".
Like football, I didn't come to learn about this relationship with Christ over night. I did however make the decision to become a born-again Christian over night. And just like football, I can either sit on the sidelines and try to follow with out having a clue as to what is going on, or I can study, learn the plays, and practice with others by fellowshipping with them. I want to live-breathe-sleep-Christianity. Just like in football, when a player gets transfered to another team, they have to relearn a whole new set of plays. Not only do I want to be taught over and over again, but I want to keep learning until the day I die. I want to hear on the day of my judgment God saying to me "good and faithful servant, with you I am well pleased."
And like football, I want to learn what makes opposing teams tick. I want to know why they don't follow or trust my God. I want to show them the love of Christ that He has for them because no matter what scars they may carry with them, God will heal them of it. I want to win them over to my team. I want them to come and do the "Lambeau Leap" with me on the day of judgment.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81aa6249/Rodgers-gets-TD-falls-short-on-Leap
Unlike football, however, if I can't win them over to Christ, I won't gloat. But instead my heart will grieve until the day that I know that Christ in their heart. While football is "seasonal," my passion for those that don't have a relationship with Christ isn't seasonal. It's an ongoing process; day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment.
My hearts desire is for you to come to a point in your life that you understand and accept what kind of a God that I serve, and all that He has for you.
Zephaniah 3:17:
" The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
I look forward to seeing you come over to my team, and seeing what "players" you bring with you!
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