The big game is tonight and I’m not going. I’m not going because I worship the Creator and not creation. I’m not going because I worship the Saviour and not soccer.
We finished at our old church in January and it was a genuine temptation to not start at our new church until March, so I could spend February watching all the big Sunday night matches. How stupid! That would have been serving a false god (soccer) instead of the True and Living God (Jesus).
If you know me at all, you’d know that I love soccer, but I hope you also know that I love Jesus more.
During my teenage years I spent most of my waking hours (+ countless dreams!) pursuing the idol of soccer. In mid-1998 I “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” 1Thess 1:9-10
I’m not saying followers of Jesus can’t also enjoy soccer, but I am saying that followers of Jesus must follow Jesus number 1, not the Mariners, not the Jets, not anyone or anything. I have committed to Christ Church St Ives on Sunday nights and so I will be there tonight. There are good reasons to miss church. Sickness. Annual Holiday. I don’t think the soccer is a good reason to miss church (except maybe if you’re on your annual holiday).
How important is church to Jesus? He died to make it happen.
I’m looking forward to youth group and church tonight.
ps – it’s Mariners fever here on the Central Coast – click the picture above – it’s made out of lego type stuff!