As fall sporting events begin in full-swing this weekend, how should we respond as spectators? Let me be totally honest, this is an area that is tough for me as a Christ-follower. Many times I have walked away from a game thinking, “Wow Kevin, you should have done better.” Not as the athlete – because I wasn’t playing – but as the spectator pulling for my team (. Reality is, this is true whenever I watch sports at home too. Thankfully, I have seen much growth (as some friends say, “Really?” LOL) in this area. Let me share with you five questions that I have used to help me do better at least as a fan.
Who or what do you serve?
This first question relates to the heart. Ultimately as Christ followers, regardless of where we are or what we do, including what we watch either in person or on some kind of media, this question is the most important. What rules my heart in this moment? For what do I live? Am I primarily striving to love and serve Christ or am I primarily serving self?
These are hard questions to ask in the midst of a hotly contested game. These are also difficult to ask when your child is playing – or not playing for a moment or two. Yet, regardless of the score, what team is playing, or who is playing in the game, the Bible still reminds us, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God,” (1 Cor 10:31).
Ultimately as Christ followers, regardless of where we are or what we do, including what we watch either in person or on some kind of media, this question is the most important. What rules my heart in this moment? Click To TweetWhat role is mine?
This second question relates to your role in the game. There are four (possibly five) primary roles in each athletic event: the athlete, the coach, the official, the fan, and sometimes the media. Each one of these distinct groups has a role to play. For the athlete, the job is on the field or in the game as he or she plays his or her best. For the coach, the role is to help guide and lead the athlete or athletes as they play their best in the game. For the official, he or she helps manage the game, as best as he or she can, according to an agreed set of rules. For the fan, the role is to cheer on the team or athlete of choice. Sometimes when media is involved, the job is to cover the game through either play-by-play, color commentary, reports from the field, or some combination of those.
As a fan, the role is to cheer on your favorite athlete or team. I’ll deal with this a bit more in another question on the positive side, but for now, here is the issue: you may be concerned about the other roles, but you are responsible for yours alone. You may have opinions about how every other person is doing his or her role, but there is a major difference between concern and responsibility. In a game situation, the responsibility you have as a fan is to cheer on your team or player. If you were an athlete, coach, official, or part of the media, your role would look different and so would your responsibilities. But, in this case, you are not.
What is your testimony?
This question relates to how others around you perceive you. This relates of course back to the first question. As a Christ-follower, I am responsible to honor God in everything I do – to live out the gospel as an ambassador of Jesus Christ. This is true for all Christians.
The problem becomes when those around me publicly watch a demonstration of clear inconsistency. My attitude stinks. My words are horrible. My body language communicates disgust. In other words, as the Christian watches the game, he or she communicates a message that is distinctively less than a God-honoring, Christ-exalting message. (This could also be equally true with winning and success.) Therefore we each must ask, “What is my testimony?”As the Christian watches the game, he or she communicates a message that is distinctively more or less a God-honoring message. This could also be equally true with winning or losing. Click To Tweet
What is most important?
This question relates to the big picture. What is most important? …doing your best or winning? …healthy athletes or winning? …good sportsmanship or winning? …athletes having fun or winning? …enjoying a good game with individuals or a team you enjoy watching or winning? …honoring God or winning?
What is most important? In each of these instances, winning is not the most important. Notice, I did not ask it this way, “What is most important: winning or losing?” Winning or losing is not what is most important in any game. There are always many, many things more important than winning. It may be more fun – no doubt that is true! It may be more exciting – of course! It may be more rewarding – yes! But more important than all these other things – no!
Are the athletes encouraged?
This question relates to how the athletes perceive you as the fan. This is one that my children have helped me think through over time. In your personal response to the game, are the athletes encouraged? Do your voice, actions, facial expressions, and body language encourage the athlete who is watching and listening to you? The goal is for our language and other kinds of communication to build up those who receive it (Eph 4:29). Does that take place? What message are they receiving? Are they embarrassed, frustrated, bewildered, aggravated, or encouraged?
By extension, you could also ask, are the coaches, other fans, and officials encouraged?
Are people put off by you in losing or winning OR are they encouraged by you in losing or winning?Are people put off by you in losing or winning OR are they encouraged by you in losing or winning? Click To Tweet
Don’t forget – it is just a game!
At the end of the day as a fan, this is just a game. Of course the game may be a job or vocation for some of the people playing or associated with the game. But for the fan, no. It is just a game. Our identity as a Christian is not in the game or team or child. Our hope is not in the game or team or child.
Are we concerned? Yes. Are we passionate? Yes. Are we engaged? Yes. Are we Christians? If you would answer yes, then your life needs to show it even as a concerned, passionate, engaged fan.
Ouch! I have work to do this season.
