Frustrated Fan

DateLine (10/18/06 – Nanuet, NY)

I’m a frustrated football fan. There is not a single sport that I’ve dedicated more time to watching than football. As I’ve shared before I grew in a football town. On Friday night they rolled up the sidewalks downtown and the majority of the populace was at the stadium supporting the team. I’ve seen my share of college games in Death Valley, dating back to the time when there were no upper decks. I’ve spent many a Sunday afternoon lounging on the couch watching the pro game; equally frustrated. By the way, lounging on the couch is my favorite football watching posture. The only thing missing right now is that big plasma screen with ESPN 360 in HDTV.

A few weeks back, Kyle and I attended the Tiger massacre foisted on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Sitting next to us was a middle-aged couple. The gentlemen I suspect was a High School football coach. I couldn’t help but overhear his running commentary on the game with his wife. It was amazing. As soon as the defense would show their formation, he’d call out how the Tigers would most likely respond by a check-off at the line. 90% of the time he was correct. As soon as the play was over, he’d call the next play. It’s as if he was listening in on the conversation between Tiger Offensive coordinator Rob Spence and the Tiger sideline. An uncanny percentage of the time he would call the next Tiger play before the Tigers broke huddle. Whereas the “coach” sitting next to me was always one or two steps ahead of what was happening on the field, I’m normally one or two steps behind what was happening. I’m straining to watch the “jumbotron” to see the replay or to hear the referee or PA announcer describe to me what just occurred whereas he was describing to his wife in real-time what was happening even before the play was complete. He was seeing things unfold on the field that I just don’t see; not without someone pointing them out to me.

What’s the point? My frustration emanates from the fact that I do not have an insider view of the game. The last time that I participated in a football game as a player, I was in the 3rd grade. I can’t “see” the action on the field today as a fan because I don’t have the nuanced feel for the game that only comes from having been a player or a coach; a first hand participant. I’ve never “played” the game.

Unfortunately there are folks in the church who can’t “see” what’s going on. They always seem to be a step or two behind. Sometimes they “delay the game" because they constantly require someone to announce on the “PA” what just occurred or they’re spending their time straining to see the “replay” on the “jumbotron.” They’re so pre-occupied looking backwards they can’t move forward.

This is where the football fan analogy breaks down. There really is no such thing as a spectator in the Christian “arena.” God expects each of us to be a “player.” The only time it’s OK for us to be out of the game is if we are on injured reserve. And if you’ve checked out His track record in the Bible, it’s very difficult for one of His “players” to stay on injured reserve for long. If you don’t believe me, ask the “lame” man. God’s “players” have a sixth sense for the game which only comes from playing the game and having been coached by the best staff (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) that has ever been assembled.

Out of this world coaches, unbeatable game-plan, fantastic team! Spectator Christian? Get in the game.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us [play] with perseverance the [game] marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1