So the Superbowl is today, the biggest sporting event in the U.S. by far. A billion sports fanatics and casual sports fans all over the world will watch not only for the game itself but also for the funny commercials and the entertaining halftime show. I’m not necessarily a huge sports fan but I am loyal to Seattle teams having grown up with the Seahawks, Mariners and the Sonics (I don’t want to talk about it until Seattle gets another NBA team). This season I realized I was getting a tad obsessed with the Seahawks’ bid to repeat as champions when I found myself yelling at the TV during their games. Go Hawks!
The constant Superbowl media coverage is massive to say the least and the players are fully aware every little thing they say and do will be heard round the world. Some of them choose to share their Christian faith, which certainly seems to be the admirable thing to do and a pleasant contrast to the blatant corporate commercialism swirling around the event. Seattle’s quarterback had a terrible game in the NFC championship two weeks ago until he pulled out a win at the end to get to the Superbowl. Exhausted and emotional, his immediate post-game comments were the familiar “God is so great, all the time.” He went on to comment that God had “orchestrated all of this to bring him to this point.” Hmm, now don’t get me wrong I have no issue with someone sharing their Faith on the big stage and I think this person has a sincere love for the Lord. However, his comments seemed to imply that this sports contest victory was a result of divine intervention. The various public reactions to this were amusing if not predictable. The opposing quarterback for the Packers remarked “I really don’t think God cares about football.” Sports radio ran with it: “So did God lay the 7.5 points or did he just go with Seattle winning straight up?” Another prominent media person commented he had a serious issue with a god that has a rooting interest in a football game. There’s a fine line between one witnessing his/her genuine Faith and coming across as self-righteous entitlement. If the Seattle QB is saying God is allowing him to be the best darn person he can be even in his athletic vocation and he gives all praise to God regardless of the outcome then so be it. But to assert beyond that invites skepticism and ridicule from Christians and non-Christians alike making wise-cracks about God and the point spread, which is an impression of the Gospel he certainly did not intend, and one God most certainly did not intend.
This kind of proselytizing draws unwanted attention and I dare say even spiritual battle. I recall years ago, a former high-profile Seattle player was playing in the Superbowl and he made the foolish prediction that his team would win because of his superior Christian faith. The night before the big game he was arrested by undercover police for soliciting “dates.” His team lost the game and no one ever wanted to hear from that guy again. The current Seattle QB holds out his Christian faith for all to see but will also draw scrutiny for having filed to end his 2-year marriage last year coincidentally right after he became famous. Even solid character guys like this one will be subject to forces of this world that want to see him stumble. It’s a dangerous game to attach God’s goodness with wins or losses. What I would love to see is that players on both sides of the final score and in life proclaim “God is good, all the time!”
From Pastor Mark’s Heart
February 1, 2015