The Phillies - I finally "get" baseball
In fact, I finally get sports in general. Yes, I confess, I am a very lukewarm sports fan, although I enjoy a Saturday afternoon Penn State game from time to time - if it's with a few good friends - and snacks. However, I have simply never understood the emotional highs and lows that true fans experience as part of the rhythm of their lives, as their team triumphs or suffers defeat.
As the Phillies approached the World Series, this cluelesness truly became apparent as my indifference came into sharp contrast with my housemates' late night, bleary eyed, ecstatic enthusiasm.
If not for my good friend Alasdair Groves (a true Phillies fan), I would yet be without understanding. But he explained a truly profound reality.
It goes like this: there is something very right about a people having champions. In this case, the Phillies are the champion of the people of Philadelphia. They do not only represent the people against the opponent (the foe), they are deeply connected to them. There is identity. The true fan talks in the first person plural: "we won" or "we just couldn't pull it off."
When the champions are victorious, the people join in their victory. It is not nearly as much about the specifics of the game, as it is about this dynamic: identifying with the team - feeling their joy - experiencing the joy of the community of fans - despising the common enemy. Hence, there are many different sports of all sorts which capture the heart of peoples all over the world.
A representative champion; a foe to be defeated; an intimate identification with the champion; rejoicing with the whole heart; and yes, even worship, as the victory parade goes down Broadstreet. This is a little drama reflecting the true story of reality. This is a tiny picture of a far greater Champion, a truly evil foe, a deeper identification, and rightful worship. This reflects something of the gospel.
In this light, I can now understand why the human heart is so drawn to sports. It is a wonderful picture of Jesus Christ, whether you know it or not, and there is something in us wired to respond to such a story. We long for the champion and the drama of the battle. Of course, it can turn into a horrible counterfeit that causes us to forget the real thing, like the spouse who reads cheap romance novels and neglects the marriage.
So I think I understand. I am still not a fan. I realize that takes time: you can't just identify at such a profound level with something unless you invest yourself, and immerse yourself in a community which also is invested in it. But my goodness - if you do take the time, what incredible joy awaits the victors! The euphoria of Philadelphia is simply stunning.
If that is the euphoria that comes when a couple of men beat another couple of men in an arbitrary game, what will the joy be like when the King of Kings, who gave his life for his people - that they might become children of God - tramples death, sin, the wicked, and Satan and ushers in the glories of heaven? What will the rejoicing of the multitudes from every tribe and nation sound like? What tears of joy will flow and deepest affections will burst out in song and rapture. I don't think the broad street celebrations will even hold a match to it.
Let us invest ourselves deeply in our knowing our Savior that our rejoicing will be fitting and honoring on that great day. But wait - the victory is already won. Let us rejoice in the Lord even now.
As the Phillies approached the World Series, this cluelesness truly became apparent as my indifference came into sharp contrast with my housemates' late night, bleary eyed, ecstatic enthusiasm.
If not for my good friend Alasdair Groves (a true Phillies fan), I would yet be without understanding. But he explained a truly profound reality.
It goes like this: there is something very right about a people having champions. In this case, the Phillies are the champion of the people of Philadelphia. They do not only represent the people against the opponent (the foe), they are deeply connected to them. There is identity. The true fan talks in the first person plural: "we won" or "we just couldn't pull it off."
When the champions are victorious, the people join in their victory. It is not nearly as much about the specifics of the game, as it is about this dynamic: identifying with the team - feeling their joy - experiencing the joy of the community of fans - despising the common enemy. Hence, there are many different sports of all sorts which capture the heart of peoples all over the world.
A representative champion; a foe to be defeated; an intimate identification with the champion; rejoicing with the whole heart; and yes, even worship, as the victory parade goes down Broadstreet. This is a little drama reflecting the true story of reality. This is a tiny picture of a far greater Champion, a truly evil foe, a deeper identification, and rightful worship. This reflects something of the gospel.
In this light, I can now understand why the human heart is so drawn to sports. It is a wonderful picture of Jesus Christ, whether you know it or not, and there is something in us wired to respond to such a story. We long for the champion and the drama of the battle. Of course, it can turn into a horrible counterfeit that causes us to forget the real thing, like the spouse who reads cheap romance novels and neglects the marriage.
So I think I understand. I am still not a fan. I realize that takes time: you can't just identify at such a profound level with something unless you invest yourself, and immerse yourself in a community which also is invested in it. But my goodness - if you do take the time, what incredible joy awaits the victors! The euphoria of Philadelphia is simply stunning.
If that is the euphoria that comes when a couple of men beat another couple of men in an arbitrary game, what will the joy be like when the King of Kings, who gave his life for his people - that they might become children of God - tramples death, sin, the wicked, and Satan and ushers in the glories of heaven? What will the rejoicing of the multitudes from every tribe and nation sound like? What tears of joy will flow and deepest affections will burst out in song and rapture. I don't think the broad street celebrations will even hold a match to it.
Let us invest ourselves deeply in our knowing our Savior that our rejoicing will be fitting and honoring on that great day. But wait - the victory is already won. Let us rejoice in the Lord even now.
posted by Steve at 6:12 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home