The Most Important Things

I love soccer (from the English abbreviation “association football”). I love the pace and flow of the game. I love how there are no timeouts. I love the build-up to each and every goal. I, also, love how there is no use of instant replay. In this World Cup there have been tons of bad calls (and great ones too). There have been calls that have “robbed” teams of goals and all sorts of advantages. Even when it effects my favorite teams, I still approve of the “bad calls.” Why? Because it’s just like real life.

In our modern world of technological advances and ability to comfort ourselves indefinitely, we have anesthetized ourselves from pain and “unfairness” as much as possible. We have ruled out winners and losers. We have created cars that almost drive themselves (and one day, no doubt, will). We have even ruled out pain and suffering in the gospel (or have tried very hard to). Yet the bible clearly states that rain will fall on the just and the unjust. It also says that offenses must come, that we will enter heaven through much trial and tribulation. It says that those who endure to the end will be saved. One of the fruits of the spirit is long-suffering, etc. etc.. I am not trying to be a downer, so much as point out that we’re going to have overcome some things in life and there is no instant replay and there are few actual “do-overs” in life.

The same goes with soccer. You are given 90 minutes of fun, flaws and passion. Whoever wins at the end, wins. There is no instant replay. So if a ref makes an “unfair” call or just a really bad one. You could lose. Or you could overcome. It’s up to you and your response to life’s calls. No one will be sent to heaven or hell by anybody else. You have to make the final decision. Everyone was so mad at the ref after the USA-Slovenia match because they would’ve won the game. Well, in reality, if they wouldn’t have let two goals be scored in the first half they would’ve won. Either way, they fought back and tied. Then they advanced and lost again due to conceding early goals. They had the same chances as everybody else.

What about you? What “bad calls” has life dealt you? Did you fight back and overcome them? Or did you give up and call the game over? There are no instant replays in life. Run the race in such a way to WIN the prize, no matter what happens along the way.

With the World Cup just around the corner…I thought I would share some spiritual analogies in regards to the world cup. (Note: for those of you who do not know what the World Cup is, shame. It’s the largest sporting event in the world for the world’s largest sport – football aka soccer aka calcio aka futbol) So, on we go. Oh alright I might as well put it in a list format…

1) The only way to play for your national (Kingdom) team is to play really well for your local (church) team. If you want to be on the global stage of the kingdom of God you have to be a part of the local church first.

2) Playing for your local team is great and it’s a privilege, but playing for the national team is an honor few really have. It’s all about the Kingdom of God! What an honor to be a part of the church and the Kingdom!

3) Ultimately, the best players are the best for a couple of reasons: they have the fundamentals down, they know how to adapt to the other team (“enemy”), they are in shape and they are prepared. Hopefully, you have the fundamentals down (reading your bible daily, praying, tithing, witnessing, discipling, etc). Are you ignorant of satan’s devices? Are you ready to preach in season and out of season? Are you prepared for the 2nd Coming?

4) 11 players on a team plus the coach = 12. #12 is the number of authority/ divine gov’t. 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles; very interesting…

5) It’s not always the most skilled team that wins. It’s the most determined team that wins. How determined are we to the great commission? Is every creature on earth getting the gospel?

6) All the world is enthralled by who the winner is…except America which is generally apathetic towards soccer. The global church is on fire. And the world is in turmoil by Christians who are turning the world upside down…except for America. We just want to know, whether or not, we can bring our coffee into the worship center. And, “where’s the visitor parking because I am a visitor.” Wake up America. This game is not one we can stand to lose! (I am talking about the “game” of church and not soccer)

7) The ball is a sphere, like the Earth. All of mankind is kicking the Earth around. Ok that wasn’t really spiritual but more of a jab at BP for poking a gaping hole in the Earth and letting it bleed oil for months. And for having no real solution to fix it other than, “can we put a cork in it, like they did on the LOST finale?” or “let’s burn it!” Or, “as long as we can keep it corralled with giant, inflatable water weenies, we’re gold!”
Coca-cola is the official soft drink of the World Cup, Emirates the official airline, Sony the official TV or something, Adidas the official ball, Hyundai-Kia the official car sponsor (?!) and Visa the official credit card. There’s nothing spiritual there I was just wondering how Hyundai-Kia got official car sponsor? Why not the Ford Fiesta? That seems more fitting and festive. Just say it, “FEEEE-EEESSSSTTAAH!” Wasn’t that fun? And global.

9) There are no paid cheerleaders in soccer. Either you are on the team or you are supporting the team. Same thing in the Kingdom of God, there are no paid cheerleaders. Get in the game or stay in the crowd.

10) I heart soccer. Go Italy! (Only because the USA will not make it past the quarters, sorry guys!)

FIN.