Bishop John Chrysostom of Constantinople (398-404) lamented that so many of his congregants were skipping church to walk across the street to attend the horse races at the Hippodrome – which he referred to as the “satanodrome.” I wonder what Bishop John would think of Super Bowl Sunday? This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Please don’t misunderstand me. I have no issue with sporting events. In fact, I’ve been known to drive to Atlanta from time to time to take in a Braves game. As a young man I really loved to watch sports. I enjoyed gathering with friends on Sunday afternoon to watch a Falcons game. Throughout the 1980s I was an avid Braves fan. Also, I understand that team sports are important for community cohesiveness. Friday night high-school football is the most important local event throughout the United States.
But here’s the rub. What has priority in our lives? The reason I quit following sports years ago was that I simply didn’t have the time. I was a husband, father, and pastor. I decided to pursue academic studies in Bible and theology. I wanted to excel and I understood that something would have to go. So, sporting events had to take a back seat.
Several years ago, I noticed a disturbing trend in church – ball practice, dance lessons, and other extra-curricular events began to dominate family time. This meant that church was less important in family life. The family motto is no longer “The family that prays together stays together” but, “The Family that plays together stays together.” We have taught an entire generation of children that sports is just as important as church.
I’ve been involved in ministerial leadership development for twenty years. I’ve noticed a disturbing trend. Many of our leadership seminars are Friday & Saturday events. Some of our ministerial candidates are so committed to Friday night high school football, or Saturday NCAA football, that they view ministerial development to be an interruption in their lives. I must ask, “What drives our passions?” Where are our priorities? I know ministers who can quote player stats, know all the rules, and team records. But they can’t have a serious conversation about the Nicene Creed, the canonization of Scripture, or the implications of the Reformation.
Back to Super Bowl Sunday. For Christians, Sunday is Sabbath – the “Lord’s Day.” It is the only day dedicated for worship, prayer, and fellowship. It is the first day of the week and as first it speaks to our priorities. What has priority – what is first – in the lives of God’s people? Several years ago, during the first Gulf War, I watched an interview with a soldier in Kuwait. He was asked, “How does this change your life?” He responded, “Being here changed my priorities. Back home the most important thing to me was who wins the Super Bowl. Now, the only thing important is to survive and go home to my family.” Maybe the words of Paul can help us re-prioritize our lives:
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier (2 Timothy 2:4).
