Page 27 - Cornerstone Connection Magazine - Volume 22 - Issue 6

Fans or Followers? many more, my prayer is that we do not minimize our level of
excitement for these events. But, that our level of intensity for
In sports, each game is played with a certain level of these events does not exceed the amount of zeal and passion
intensity. The atmosphere at live sporting events can be that we are to have for Jesus Christ. It’s okay to cheer and clap
electric. Whichever side of the coin you land on (home team for your top team. It’s also okay to raise a shout of joy and lift
vs. away team), fans show your hands in surrender to God.
up to expend their energy The next time you’re at either one of
in such a way that lets these two events, you may want to ponder
everyone know where their this thought: Am I a fan of Jesus and a
allegiance is. If one were follower of sports? Or am I a follower
to look deeper into that of Jesus and a fan of sports? Where one
atmosphere, we can make aspect wants your devotion, the other
a case that there is a form aspect wants your love and obedience.
of worship going on. Although it seems like we know how to
Fans cheer, yell, scream be devoted, together,
and raise their hands in let’s try to strengthen
support. They ‘high-five’ our obedience to the
one another in agreement. Father. Maybe once
Fans give of their finances at every event. They attend a game we do so, those whom we come across
to see their favorite team/player. Sounds like a worship service, will know who our allegiance belongs to,
doesn’t it? whether we’re in church or in the stands at
Followers shout to the Lord. They lift their hands in a baseball game. ✝
surrender, hug and embrace one another, give tithes, and
attend a service to worship God, Who is the center of that
experience. It’s interesting to see how similar these two
atmospheres are. It’s even more striking to understand
the reality that it may seem easier to be a fan of sports vs. a
follower of Christ.
This observation is not meant to condemn but to shine a
light on our perspective. I love sports. I’ve played, coached,
and even had a small season where I was able to write for them
for work. However, I’ve also realized how similar, yet different,
the two atmospheres are. I, too, was a product of society’s
normalcy that encourages us to cheer, yell and scream for our
favorite sports team, but in a church service, it’s hard for me
to lift my hands in surrender.
As we welcome notable sporting events such as the Super
Bowl, college basketball, the U.S. Open, the World Cup and so

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