Tuesday, November 13, 2007

A Chargers win or a Colts loss?


For all you football fans out there who happened to watch the Sunday night Chargers/Colts game, pretty crazy huh? Thanks to the kindness and generosity of a man in our church, I got to go to that game! That was only the second Chargers game I’ve ever been to, and what a great game to pick. I do have to agree with many of the sports writers though that the Chargers didn’t so much win that game as the Colts lost it.


The emotions in the stadium that night were all over the chart. We all went nuts on the opening kick-off touchdown return by Darren Sprouls. We all cringed as our offense continually sputtered and Payton Manning moved his team up and down the field so easy in the second half. And believe me, everyone in that stadium held their collective breath on that final field goal attempt by Adam Vinatieri. From where we were sitting it looked like he made it. It took a few seconds for the noise to make it around the stadium and for us to figure out he missed. At that moment it was pandemonium, a Chargers love-fest with everyone hugging and slapping high-fives. It was a crazy-fun event and my voice is still hoarse today.

One thing we did comment to each other on the way out in the midst of all the happiness, hooting and hollering and “Go Chargers” chants was, “Imagine if even half the people in this stadium were this excited about Jesus.” As Vinatieri was lining up that final field goal and I was preparing for the Chargers to lose, I started to think about what was most important in my life. And I’m telling you, I could easily think of at least two things that were at the top of my list, God and my family. I mentioned in closing at church on Sunday, that even though I’m pretty sure God doesn’t really care about who wins a football game, maybe, just maybe our prayers were answered as the Chargers squeaked out a win. It certainly was a miracle win, a football miracle that is, not a divine miracle.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I would definitely say it was more of a Colts loss than a Chargers win. The error on Viniteri(sp) was unforced and they really should have won...but in the standings, it doesn't matter...a win is a win, no matter which way you look at it.

Having that many people get excited about Christ would be amazing. One day we will be in an atmosphere where more people than that are excited for Christ.

Football can definitely be an idol. Sometimes I'm even relieved that the Chargers lose, because it brings back to reality and realize what is really important. Even if the Chargers won the game in convincing fashion, there is still a lost and hurting world out there that needs the witness of Jesus.