A Fan's Dilemma

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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    I went to a college football game on Saturday to watch my son's team.

    It was an important game - winner to the playoffs and loser stays home.

    They lost 49-42; despite me praying for 'em to prevail.

    Actually, while I was praying for the Kohawks to win, it hit me!

    Lots of folks in the stands on the other side of the field at the sold-out stadium were praying for them.

    Bummer.

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    I know God doesn't like one team more than another, except maybe when it's guys like Daniel against the lions, but I was hoping He'd make an exception for...

    Bears, Packers, Cowboys, Steelers, Penn State, Notre Dame, UNC, and Yankees fans - Add your/their favorites here! - have a very hard time with God's, uh, impartiality when it comes to, uh, games.

    His love is not exclusive.

    Gulp.

    It's, uh, inclusive.

    "For God so loved the..."

    Bummer.

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    I have this occasional temptation/delusion to think God thinks/cares a little bit more about, uh, me and my teams than anybody else('s).

    Wrong.

    Peterson translation/paraphrase of Jesus on this: "This is what God does.  He gives His best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty."

    I forgot.

    The next line really sobers me: "If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus?  Anybody can do that.  If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal?  Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that."

    Geez.

    He also asked, uh, rhetorically, "Are you envious because I am generous?"

    O.K., I get it/Him.

    God loves me and mine no more nor no less than He loves anybody/everybody else.

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    Hmm.

    There's another way to look at this; like, uh, from the other side of the field.

    When I'm losing or in the minority or..., He's loving me as much as those winning and in the majority and...

    Whew.

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    I'm still gonna root for my son's team, Jets, Giants, Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Rangers, Illinois, NIU, ThunderBucs, and Jax (only my biker buddies will get this last one).

    But considering my dependence upon His grace when I'm acting/playing like a loser, I'm gonna think a little bit more about the volume when I root against...

    Where's that mute button on my...?

    A fan's dilemma is really a metaphor for more important stuff.

    Selah.

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Blessings and Love!