Super Bowl XLI - Faith or Folly?

Is the Super Bowl a game of faith or folly?  Christians across the country skip evening services to watch the game.  People who don’t watch football tune in to this particular game.  The hype over commercials, the glitz, glamour and glory all point to the folly of the evening.  But for many, this is their bread and butter; it is their livelihood – be they the players, coaches, or the media and stadium personnel.  Careers are built on performance and popularity – even if we wish it were not so.  We cannot deny that fact.  And there are Christians in the ranks of every aspect of the Super Bowl.  There are Christian players, coaches, owners.  There are Christians in the media, and Christians working in the stands.

The owner of the Indianapolis Colts, upon receiving the Super Bowl Trophy last night, gave the primary credit to the God of Heaven.  He demonstrated that his faith was in the Living God – who assembled a team of men to whom He gave great talent and orchestrated the events of the night to bring the Colts to victory on the gridiron.  Is that folly?  Is it folly to believe that God could be working in such a commercial environment?  

Some Christians believe so.  I don’t.  I believe that if unbelievers are watching, then it only glorifies the Lord to have the Christian owner win, and then acknowledge God’s involvement.  Unbelievers across the nation watched and saw, then they heard first hand that there is a God and He is victorious.  He may be trusted, and He is Good.

Yes, this fame is fleeting and the glory as well.  If that is the only reward, the whole thing is folly indeed.  If the riches of this world are the motivation behind every heart, then this Super Bowl think is empty and silly.  Money earned is money spent.  Money loved is God denied.  

But is it unlike God to reward His people with material wealth?  Not always.  Great wealth came to Joseph in the Bible.  Great wealth was given the Hebrews as they left Egypt.  Jacob became wealthy.  The presence of wealth and luxury isn’t a sure sign of godlessness.

I believe very strongly that even the Super Bowl can be used to bring glory to the God who deserves that glory so much more than we have the capacity to give it to Him.  He deserves more glory than we can give Him; and he deserves more glory than we TRY to give Him.  May it be that we give Him all the glory we can, wherever we can, whenever we can, and simply because we can!