God and Football

I have mixed feelings today. My alma mater’s football team, the University of Oregon Ducks, won its third consecutive conference title last night. This is quite exciting for a life-long Duck fan.  You see, my Dad took one degree from Oregon in 1958 and a second one in 1960.  I was born in 1962 and so was raised on all things Duck.  Plus, I graduated from Oregon in 1984.  So rooting for the Ducks has just been weaved into the fabric of my life, so much so that I find myself yelling or cheering at the TV.

But the mixed feelings come to play as I compare being a sports fan with being a Christ-follower.  Do I get as excited about the things of God as I do about the Ducks being in the top 10 and going to a Rose Bowl?  What happens if the Ducks lose (so far, that’s their modus operandi in big bowl games)? There’s a very great danger in being an ardent fan if your outlook of life is shaded by whether your team wins or loses. Thankfully, I figured this out years ago; if the Ducks lose, my day doesn’t come to a crashing halt. 

Still, is my life as obvious for Christ as it is for being a Duck fan? I realize team colors and logos make for easy display. In fact, since Oregon has won so much lately, I’m surprised by how many people are all of the sudden Duck fans?  Where were they in the 70’s and 80’s when the Ducks could hardly score a touchdown? (Boy, Autzen stadium was sure empty in those days, now you can hardly get a ticket!) This tells me being a sports fan is often fickle, root for the team when they’re winning, but when they start to lose, well, just switch allegiances; but what about the Christ-follower?  Oh sure, it’s easy to proclaim Christ when life is all bright and shiny, but when the dark clouds roll in, do allegiances change?

True sports fans and genuine Christ-followers have in common sticking with their allegiance regardless of what is happening.  But I return to my first question.  Does my life reflect my allegiance to Christ as much or more than it does being a Duck fan?

“But seek first the kingdom of God…” (Jesus, Matthew 6:33a, emphasis mine).

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Jesus, Matthew 5:16, emphasis mine).