Perspective Sunday

Yesterday afternoon, I witnessed a family saying farewell to their 7-year-old son who was tragically killed this past week. Yesterday evening, I witnessed my favorite football team saying farewell to their opportunity for a seventh Super Bowl championship. Typically, I really get into football games, especially one of this magnitude for my team. But last night? Last night was just not the same.

While my attitude about sports, and especially football, has tamed over the last decade or so, I still get pretty passionate watching games. But last night? Last night really put things into perspective for me.

I struggled with what words to share as I spoke at the funeral for a child. There is nothing you can say when you are looking into the eyes of a parent who is facing a lost of this magnitude. As the father of a ten-year-old, I can completely understand their love for their son, but I will never be able to comprehend the loss they are experiencing.

While I was gathered with several hundred people in a room filled with grief, tears, and memories, millions of people around the country were preparing to watch a game. In one tiny corner of the world, a family was experiencing a loss beyond words while parties were in full swing, probably just down the street from us.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not berating all of those who are celebrating. As a matter of fact, those are the very kinds of moments that will provide the memories in the days ahead for this family who will now have an empty seat at the kitchen table. The family gatherings, the trips, those are the things that will bring smiles to often sorrowful faces.

But, yesterday put things in perspective for me in a powerful way.

Contrary to what many athletes say - including many I cheer for - I really don't think God is all that concerned about who wins a game where millionaires entertain us with their athletic abilities.

On the other hand, I believe that God was intimately concerned about a family mourning the loss of a son. I know He was present in that room yesterday and His Spirit was moving among us.

And if that's what God deems more important, which I firmly believe He does, that is where my heart needs to be as well.

Does that mean I will never cheer again for a football team? No. I will continue to enjoy watching a sport that entertains me.

Does that mean I won't get emotional at times when my team wins, or loses? Probably not.

Does it mean that I think entertainment is a bad thing. Not really.

What it does mean is this. That on a Sunday when the world was wrapped up in a sporting event, I was with a family who was wrapped up in the arms of Jesus. And if I am going to be His hands, His feet, and His arms, that is where my heart and passion needs to be first and foremost.

Regardless of which team would have walked away with the Lombardi Trophy last night, I walked away with a refocused perspective on what really matters, and that no matter how "big" of a game it is, it's just a game. Life, on the other hand, is so much more.

shine!
Jason