Viewing the Superbowl from the Foot of the Cross

Tomorrow is Superbowl Sunday. For 52 years people have been watching this sporting event with religious devotion. When I was a bartender in college and grad school I have to admit this was one of my favorite days of the year because regardless of who was playing men would show up to the bar ready to watch the athletes and drink a lot of beer. Needless to say, I made great tips on these sacred Sundays. 

Years later as an adult and a follower of Christ, I have to say that I approach this "holiday" with far more hesitation and downright circumspection. This year we have been invited to three or four Superbowl parties and we will be attending exactly NONE of them.    

Let me explain why. 

Sports are often an idol in the Christian community, not just for adults but for children as well. While I have no problem with believers playing sports, I do have a problem with Christians dedicating hours of their lives to watching other people play sports and there are 3 reasons for that. 

1.) Will it bring you closer to Christ?
While it is fun to gather with friends and spend time together, not much intentional, God honoring conversation can occur between downs. Athletic achievement is wonderful and should be respected, but it won't save you or anyone else from hell, period. It won't strengthen your walk with Christ or challenge you to be a more committed disciple of Christ. 

2.) How much of your life is wasted on viewing sports?
The Superbowl is an hours long event if you only watch the game that doesn't include hanging out before and after the game. How many hours are spent viewing these events that could be spent with family, reaching out to the lost, or serving our King? Let me ask another question. When was the last time that you spent four hours viewing God's playbook (the Bible) like you would a football game?

3.) What are you filling your head with? 
When you watch the Superbowl you are going to be inundated with media messages, none of which come from God. Most people will assume that I am talking about the halftime shows (we all remember the Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson fiasco from 2004) but it isn't just that. I know several people that will just fast forward or turn off the halftime show but will still be haunted by the images seen between the plays.  How many commercials are featuring hyper-sexualized or idolatrous content? How many shots of cheerleaders will fill the hearts and minds of the men in our lives that are trying to maintain their moral purity. In my mind the cost isn't worth it. I would rather not be in the know about the "super funny" commercials than risk being a complicit bystander in the temptation of my Christian brothers (and sisters!) in Christ. 

To sum it all up, after careful prayer and consideration, 90% of sporting events just don't fit with what God has called me to in this life. Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." I cannot call myself a follower of Christ and simultaneously condone (at best) or worship (at worst) the sports industry. So while I may not be popular for saying it, I won't conform to the idea that we as Christians should take part in this wordly time-suck. When viewing the Superbowl from the foot of the cross, it just isn't worth my time. God called me to a life of servitude at the foot of the cross, not on the alter of professional sports.