8 Feb, 2011
Spectator vs. Participant
I watched the Super Bowl on Sunday. Well, to be honest, I watched a few minutes of the actual game, some of the commercials, and about half of the half-time show. For the die-hard football fans, Super Bowl Sunday means that the biggest game of the year gets their undivided attention, no matter who is playing. For those who are fans of the two opposing teams, special attention is most certainly given to every moment that the clock is running. But for the rest of the estimated 110 million viewers, it’s a great time for a party! A whole evening is set aside just to be with friends, and everyone makes a fuss over the food, of course. Websites, blogs, magazines and TV shows all spend weeks highlight the best foods to make for football fans so that you can have the best party fare. Football-shaped paper plates, goal-post toothpicks, and great conversations divert our attention from the reason we say we are there. If you’re not that into the game, there’s always the kitchen for hanging out and catching up with friends. There are so many reasons to attend a Super Bowl party besides the football game itself, and there are plenty of things to distract us from the game, even if we do want to watch it.
Image coutesy of google images
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
What does God’s Story scripture teach us about participating?
As I was thinking about Super Bowl Sunday, I began to think about how similar it can be to our experience with church. We think church is a great place to connect with God and learn about him, but there are so many distractions that we often miss the point of being there. In Revelation, John wrote these specific verses to the church in Laodicea as a warning. I can imagine that they were going through the motions, making their appearance, but not really present for what mattered most to God. Their hearts were not in it. They probably looked really great from the outside, but being busy for the Lord or being present in church does not equal a heart on fire for Him.
- Are you a spectator or a participant in God’s Story?
- Are you hanging around church and other believers to see what they are doing for God, or are you taking an active part in what He has planned for you?
- Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm for Him?
How can I connect today’s God’s Story scripture and my story to others?
As you talk to friends about their Super Bowl activities this past weekend, find out if they were there for the game, the people, or the food. Connect their answer to God’s warning in scripture to be a full-on participant in His purpose.
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
