Thoughts on the World Cup

France versus Italy for the championship this coming Sunday that comes around only every four years. Did you pick them to be in it? How did your team do? (Since, my team is the US team, I have had more time than others to work through the grieving process, especially the Germans who saw their team depart heroically two nights ago in the final minute of overtime.) What fun to support and cheer on your team on this grand international stage!

Being in Germany this past month, I have been in restaurants, city centers, Fifa fan fests, youth parks, peoples’ homes and churches, experiencing the magnitude of the World Cup and how it has captured this particular society at this moment in time. I have seen faces painted, banners raised, songs created, parties started on every game day and location. I have laughed and experienced joy in places I never thought possible over a game. As the Cup runneth down and not over in these final days these experiences are evaporating literally from the front pages, magazines, TV stations and notably, peoples hearts and passions.

I cannot help but ask my Savior, “What does it look like for every tribe, tongue and nation to raise the banner for you, to sing the songs of praise for you, to throw all day parties in your honor, in those very same bars, parks and homes? What does it look like to delight ourselves and give all that we have for something better? What does it even look like for people to know there is something better? Better yet am I convinced?”

My feeble mind at times looks to the seen rather then the unseen. I have seen the power that idols can have, this month more so then others, and in myself more so then others. I have come to understand though, that power has borders, and anything with borders can be defined. Our Lord’s power is border-less and limitless. It is true, his power is not always seen but always the one that wins in the end. The World Cup or much of anything else is usually not the problem to this perspective but in how we abuse these things in our own hearts, the place that we try and will them too.

I am suprised in how I have transferred or changed my perspective in each time I have found my heart inching closer to these worldly things back to God and saw something new or more wonderful about His character. I want to fall for Him and nothing else for eternity, ever four years just does not cut it. My prayer is the same for all of us, especially me.

Zach

Pray for the final closing ceremonies this Friday for the Kickoff organization that we would be able to see what worked well and hear amazing stories and learn from our mistakes. Several big name soccer stars will be sharing.