Is God a Sports Fan… or a Bookie…?
Why is it that so many sportsmen and women… (and actors and actresses…) feel they need to Praise God when they win a race or competition or rugby match…?
I’m not knocking their beliefs per se, just their need to foist it upon everyone else. I’m simply trying to understand why they think God would be attending every rugby, cricket, football, baseball, basketball and any other competition game or race across the entire planet backing certain people and appointing them winners because of the hard work and effort they have put in and the good people they are or have been.
Does this mean God is angry at everyone else and feels they were not deserving of his support for this particular event? Does this mean that only believers are deserving winners? Does it mean that non-believers should never win anything?
Is the loss of a believer an indication that they have sinned in the lead-up to the event? Should there be an investigation into their behaviour and actions after a loss to find out why God has not supported them for this particular event?
What does it say about God, or the other contestants, when a heathen wins?
What would believers say if non-believers said after every event that they were chuffed they won even though God was supporting the other person or side? How would believers feel if non-believing winners told everyone that they had defeated God that day? And that God had nothing to do with their victory as it all came down to years of sacrifice and hard work and a strict training regimen and simply being better or luckier on the day?
Wouldn’t believers get a bit upset if every time a non-believer won the point was made that God had let down his followers? Again?
That’s the one aspect that springs to mind every time I see such public displays.
The other is this…
Why do they never thank God when they lose? Why don’t they still praise God for their talent and for being ‘with them’ with the bitter taste of defeat fresh in their mouths? Or do they feel God has not done his bit and supported them that day and thus does not deserve any praise or global TV PR? Do they feel too abandoned to acknowledge God in defeat?
Why did Jaco van der Westhuizen never climb up on the rugby crossbar after a loss? Surely it would demonstrate more conviction and deeper belief if he did in fact praise the Lord after every defeat too?
Why does the losing rugby team never huddle in prayer in the middle of the field after a loss?
Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear one of the sporting or acting believers say in an interview after the event:
“First I would like to thank my personal Savior who blessed me with all this talent. But chose to back the other person/team today. Because he obviously feels I’m not worthy or deserving of his support today.
But he is still a great God even though He was not on my side today. The other person/team must have done more good during the week than I did. I will try harder this week so that my personal savior will be on my/our side next week.”
I think the humility and grace they try to portray always comes across as contrived and affected. I would be far more impressed with a believer who sang the praises of his or her God after every defeat too.
But would it not be better to keep personal beliefs out of secular sports events and awards ceremonies?
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