Page 27 - Cornerstone Connection Magazine - Volume 22 - Issue 8

The Wild World of Sports seeks to please the recruiter.” If we confess God to be our “recruiter”
and that we are soldiers in His army, then our aim is to take heed to
Let’s look back in retrospect. The year 2020 was quite interesting His Word, in its entirety and proper context.
in the realm of athletics. A global pandemic, sparked by COVID-19, So, for athletes, fans, or media personnel, we come back to the
caused all major sports seasons to come to a screeching halt. About question: What has God called us to do in these times? Ultimately,
seven months later, all major sports seasons commenced, while that’s the only obligation you, as a follower (not just a believer) of
collegiate athletics were still ironing out the details of their ‘post Christ, have. The world of sports is, indeed, wild. We have to be
COVID-19’ sports reality. careful to not commit murder in our hearts by way of our thoughts,
What also impacted the sports world, was the plight of racial words and actions towards others who conduct themselves in ways
injustice, police brutality, and systematic racism in the United States that we disapprove of. The current political, or humanitarian, stance
of America. The National Basketball Association, teams from the that the sports world has taken has added an element to its already
WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association), professional/ crazy reality. The same way Jesus was able to calm the storm, He
international soccer clubs, and Major League baseball all made can also bring peace to this chaotic situation.
public stands against those things. Now, this isn’t a post to express Let’s all ensure that we’re seeking to please Him, in how we
my views on the matter, or to sway you towards a political decision, respond to racial injustice, systematic oppression, policy brutality,
but to pose a simple question: How does God feel about it all? uncertainty for global vaccines, and all other
See, as followers of Christ, our humanistic opinions don’t really things that have made the last two years the
matter. They may serve a purpose for healthy dialogue and edifying most unusual ones in decades. Most important,
conversation, but what should reign supreme over them is what let’s ensure we’re pleasing Him with how we
God has to say about these subjects. When the NBA began its publicly express our love for Him and pursue
season in 2020, they approved a center-stage visual graphic that love for our neighbor. This is the most important
said, ‘Black Lives Matter’ and gave autonomy to its players to share part. That our feelings are in submission to the
how they felt about the current climate in our nation. In these times Holy Spirit and led by God’s love, mercy, grace,
where one is almost forced to ‘pick a side,’ what stood out during justice and Truth. ✝
the reinstatement of professional sports was the athletes who took
no political stance but publicly expressed their allegiance to God,
and God alone.
Despite being ridiculed by certain members of the public,
these individuals chose to fight for injustice through prayer
and supplication vs. physical acts of protest. Again, this is not to
condemn peaceful protesting but meant to highlight the question
at hand. How does God want us to conduct ourselves? Doesn’t His
Word say to “speak up for those that can’t speak up for themselves”
(Proverbs 31:8)? Doesn’t He tell us that the battle is “not against
flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12)?
When major sports initially began their new normal (games
without fans and intentionality around lending their voice to
public movements), those who professed allegiance to God had to
continue to seek Him on these matters. 2 Timothy 2:4 says, “No one
serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he

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