Sports Tidbits:Lessons to be Learned

This past week was filled with sporting news lessons to be learned:

1. Before the start of the World Cup, Brazilian referees had to take a class to learn the many English-language obscenities so that players that verbally abuse the ref's can be penalized. However, the referees are not learning these obscenities in the 11 other different languages spoken at the World Cup. So what does this say about America in general?

I think one of the nature's of man is unfortunately the use of obscenities in the heated competiveness of sports and in fixing things mechanically. It is our nature to slip out an expletive either when we are driving for an easy layup and miss the shot or trying to put a new doorknob in a door. I definitely include myself in this category of the nature of man, but also find myself wanting to break that habit, especially because I want to set a better godly example for those around me.

But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more unglodliness. (2Tim.2:16)

2. A contrite Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers gave an interview in reference to his off-field problems of sexual misconduct and exclaimed:

"I was young, dumb, and immature. All the time I didn't see it. I was gaining everything but I was losing a lot of who I was raised to be."

How many of us have been like that? Especially Christians. It is so easy to get sucked into what the world has to offer and forget how we may have been raised, or have forgotten who we are in Christ.

A far greater reward awaits those who are not out for worldly gain but are content with Christ:

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1 Tim.6:6-9)

It is okay to desire and have things, as long as you don't let them consume you to where it leads you away from Christ.

3. One of the biggest headlines of the week was the Perfect Game That Wasn't. Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galaraga was one out away from throwing a perfect game no hitter. The last batter for that no hitter was called safe in a close play at first base. The replay shows the hitter was actually out and the umpire blew the call. After the game, the umpire Jim Joyce viewed the replay himself and then owned up to his mistake and apologized. Galaraga accepted the ump's apology with grace and forgiveness. Both men exhibited what men in America should really be like.

4. Then, for Chicagoans, the biggest news of the week was the Chicago Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years.

First we had former Hawks player Jeremy Roenick cry in the broadcast booth after the Hawks had won. The past 2 weeks prior, he had been all over television and radio bad mouthing the Hawks and saying he hoped they would lose. Some of his venting frustration was due to his being pushed out of Chicago in the mid 90's when wanting to stay and being shipped off to play for Philadelphia. Some say his emotional tear up was one- part elation of Chicago winning and another part jealous over never winning the Cup while playing here in Chicago.

Men have that competitive edge that drives them to want to win and hate to lose. Actually, nobody likes to lose. And everyone loves a winner. But if you can take those losses, no matter what they are in life, and build something positive from them, then all is not lost.

And speaking of building, I love the way the Chicago Blackhawks have taken players from their past teams and have made them ambassadors for the team and for the game of hockey itself. What the Blackhawks are doing is remembering the past to help build the future.

Whether it's one player or an umpire's past mistake or another player's lost seasons of the past, to take those misfortunes and build on it in a positive way becomes a greater victory. And if you know Jesus as your personal Saviour, your greatest standing ovation awaits you:

"You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace.

The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you.

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)