The Bungee Cord

Hello,

Does God care about who will win the college football championship game tonight?

I do. I am hoping that Indiana will beat Miami. It’s not that I am anti-Miami or that I am a big Indiana fan, actually quite the opposite since Indiana crushed Illinois this fall in our game against them. But in this game, I find myself rooting for Indiana. Why? Well, it is always fun to see a cellar-dweller team rise out of nowhere, like a phoenix, suddenly coming to life. Indiana, as you may know, has lost more games in its history than any other major college team. Year after year it has dwelt among the dregs of the Big-10. Much like people asked of Jesus, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”, the same, football wise, has been said of Indiana, “Can anything good come out of Indiana?”

Well, this year we may find out. I’ve been impressed with Indiana’s quarterback who seems to be a well-grounded person. When he won the Heisman Trophy, he acknowledged that the award was really a team award, and even more so credited his resiliency in sports and life to his mother who has been in a knock down battle with Multiple Sclerosis. When he speaks, he also gives glory to God, not so much in crediting God for his victories, but rather for God’s steadfast presence and blessings in life that have come his way. Interestingly, he even took the Heisman Trophy to show the priests in his hometown parish.

Although I have never heard it asked of him, “Does God care about who will win the college football championship game?”, it is my feeling that he would answer in the same manner as I, “No.”

Sometimes when I hear people talk about the way that God works in the world, it sounds like some people do think that God cares about football victories, as if God was on their side…seeking to reward them for their righteousness, their hard work, and their devotion. But as important as a football game might be to those who are playing or cheering , when I read the Bible, it seems that there are other things that bear far more import in God’s desires.

What might be more important than a football game? Surely the relationship of love and trust that is held between God and all people. So important is this to God that he sent his Son to take to the grave anything that might come between the world and God. Even as clearly, the Bible tells us that the plight of people is more important. The plight of the poor, the oppressed, the hungry, the naked, the imprisoned lie heavily on God’s heart. So personal are these plights that Jesus has said that whenever we reach out in Christlike care to such as these, we are reaching out to Christ, himself. The list of things superiorly important to God than a football game could go on and on, forever: peace between nations, care of the earth, hope for the dying, strength to battle despair, calm to overcome fear.

I have always thought of sports as great momentary diversions from the weight of the world. They give us something to stick out our necks for that really doesn’t matter so that when we encounter those things that really matter, we have had some practice. They give us a display of talent and ability that might lead us to use our talents and abilities in things that are of great consequence. They help us see that the good guy doesn’t always win, but those who have been trampled upon sometimes overcome their tramplers.

I’ll be watching the football game tonight, because I appreciate the diversion that it gives me. More importantly, however, I will be in church on Sunday, because I need the nourishment that it gives me to face the far more consequential things that I daily encounter and which are far dearer in the heart of God than a football game.

By the way, Indiana 35, Miami 24.

Have a great week.

God’s grace and peace, (ggap)

Pastor Jerry Nuernberger