Really?

God chose your team over the other guys?  Really?

That is what people who do not understand the Christian vernacular assume we mean when we say such things.

We’ve all seen this play out after the big game.  Some, fine young Tebowesque quarterback, pitcher, or point guard is interviewed by ESPN’s on the field/diamond/court reporter.  And the first thing or maybe the last out of the mouth of the Christian players is “I’d like to thank God for this win.”  And all of us Christians are impressed with his (or her) commitment to God and their outspoken witness.  But what many non-believing viewers or listeners here is this: “Thank God that he randomly chose my team because our players are better Christians than those sad sacks over on that bench.”  And often these non-believing fans will roll their eyes at the foolishness of this statement.

If that is in fact what the player means, then they are right to roll their eyes.  God does not randomly select one team over another in order to show his love for that Christian player while punishing the Christians on the other team because they are not faithful enough.

This first hit me when I was a kid.  The Milwaukee Brewers were in the World Series in 1982.  I was in Bible class at Heritage Christian School in Milwaukee.  Mr. Pereira, our teacher, asked us for prayer requests.  One of my fellow students ask him to pray that the Brewers would win against the St. Louis Cardinals that night.  Mr. Pereira asked if we really thought God would grant that request.  Many said yes.  Then he asked what about the Christians in Missouri asking for the same thing.  Why would he grant our request and not there’s?  Hmmm!  It made me think.  Then, when my Brewers lost game 7, I wondered.  Is God a Cardinals fan?  No!  God was not a Cardinals fan.  He was and is an Ozzie Smith fan and a Paul Molitor fan (Smith was their short stop and Molitor was our Third Baseman).  He is a fan of all of his creation.  He loves all of us.  So like Peyton and Eli’s parents when the Giants play the Colts, he does not choose sides.  He just wants his children to remain faithful to his teaching to love Him with all their being, and to love one another the way they want to be loved.  He just wants us to ask Him to forgive us for our sins and repent.  He wants us to live for Him.  Do those things and you are a winner.

So, when Christian athletes say, “I want to thank God for this win” I wish they would say something a little more accurate and clear.  Here is what I would say.  “I just want to thank God for life and the chance to play the game.  I want to say that I do my best to please  him just like many of the players on the other side did.  We just were able to win. But I respect and honor their commitment just like I know God does too.”  It would take longer but you just won the championship.  Are they gonna pull the mic away before they get to ask their ridiculous questions?

Someone email this link to Tim Tebow or Kurt Warner please.

Tags: Christian, ESPN, God, nfl, prayer, Sports, Tim Tebow, witness