It's Super Bowl Sunday and I don't care. I know that a lot of people get excited about the "big game" but, it really doesn't interest me. I suppose if the Dallas Cowboys had made it, I might make some effort to watch at least part of it, but it is just "noise" to me.
I saw that tickets for the game were around $3,000 apiece and higher. I can't imagine paying that kind of money to be "entertained" -- especially when I can watch it on television for free (I'll pay the cable bill whether the game is on or not so, there is no extra charge incurred for watching the game.) How can people afford the tickets let alone the outrageous prices that will be charged by hotels in Atlanta for the big night? I'm sure that rates which normally would be in the $120 to $150 range will soar to the $300 to $500 range or even higher. Of course there are also travel and meal expenses to include.
For those who stay home and make a party of watching the game, at least there is the value of fellowship with friends. That would make it redeemable. Often such events are something of a potluck type of affair. I'm not a particularly "social" person so they don't hold much appeal to me, but it is a good excuse for many to have a party.
The outcome of the game this year is controversial even before it begins. A particularly widely questioned call in one of the playoff games has caused many to protest quite loudly that the system is rigged. I don't know. It looked like a bad call to me, but we all face "bad calls" in life. It happens. Get over it.
It's too bad people don't get as excited about things that really matter as they do about the Super Bowl. There are plenty of issues facing this country and the rest of the world that need attention of "super bowl" intensity, but are ignored. It's probably because of the general affluence of the majority of people. When you have plenty to eat, a warm bed, a closet full of clothes, a $1000 cell phone, a $30,000 car to drive -- you know, the necessities in life -- why get excited about the problems around you?
We are "wired" to be passionate about something. I think too often that passion is misdirected to things that allow us to "escape" the realities around us -- the need for caring about others. We are so self-focused, we don't see the suffering of people both here and around the world. Jesus saw the hurting around Him and ministered to those in need. He asked us to do the same.
Many verses come to mind as I write this:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." -- Psalm 37:4
"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness amon the people." -- Matthew 4:22
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." -- Matthew 9:36
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sik and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." -- Matthew 25:35-36
...and many more. The theme of caring for the poor and needy is common both in the old and new testaments. It was emphasized as expected of God's people, but clearly not the means of salvation. Jesus alone is the means of salvation. "For God so loved the world He gave his only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but, have eternal life." -- John 3:16
"I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through me." -- John 14:6
That is something about which we should truly get excited. Let it be our passion to share The Truth to others.
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