Misplaced Sooner Fan

John 15:19
If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

This morning I was reading a part of Max Lucado's book When God Whispers Your Name. And in this particular section he talked about his experience of visiting the Boston Gardens one year. And as a life long Boston Celtics fan, I could relate to his story.

He talked about how he wanted to see the Boston Gardens, because it was legendary in the realm of sports. So he went to the game, but he wasn't cheer-ing for the Celtics. See Lucado lives in San Antonio and is a Spurs fan.

Now you can just imagine the looks he was getting when he cheered for the visiting Spurs. In that particular story, I can see it from the Celtics point of view because I am a Celtics fan.

But now I can see if from Max's point of view. You see I am also a lifelong Oklahoma Sooner fan. I grew up in Oklahoma and excpet for four years of my life I haved lived them all in the Sooner State.

Today I am writing from deep within the heart of Texas. This is the land of the Aggies and the Longhorns. And the University of Texas is a bitter rival of the Sooners. So when I go around talking positively about the Sooners in Texas you can just imagine some of the looks that I get.

I always refer to myself as a misplaced Sooner fan.

It is the same way in the community of believers. You see Christ tells us in the Book of John that He has sent us into the world just as God sent Him into the world. We are followers and fans of the visiting team in the middle of the home team's playing field.

As Christians we have been chosen out of this world and set apart for Christ, and because of that the world hates us. And boy can we see that today in America.

Having been involved in sports for nearly my entire life, I can remember several times when visiting teams would make signs or draw attention to themselves while on the home team's turf. This year in the world series in particular, I remember some Yankees fans carrying a huge sign around Boston's Fenway Park talking about the curse of the Bambino. Imagine the nerve if you are a Red Sox fan.

And I recall an NFL game a couple of weeks ago, where Terrell Owens ripped down a sign that he didn't care for after scoring a touchdown. Obviously he was offended by the sign.

Today in America, the home team is becoming offended by some of the sign-age from us visitors. They have taken the Bible out of the classroom. No longer can kids pray in school with their teachers leading the way. The Ten Commandments have become foul language in many parts of our country. Crosses have been taken out of a number of city seals across our nation.

We should not be surprised by this though, because the Bible tells us that if we are playing for Christ's team, we are going to be hated. That is not a possibility, but that is the reality.

However, despite the challenges we face today, and the persecutions that tomorrow will bring, we must stand firm in our faith and support of our Lord and Savior.

We have been sent into this world, but we are not to be off this world. We have been bought with a price. And that price was the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We have been branded and set apart from this world.

Daniel knew that way back in the Old Testament. He was in bondage along with the rest of the Israelites. The king had called for some of the "best" Israelites to be pulled aside and trained for his service. Among these were Daniel.

Daniel and three of his companions were to be trained for three years and then enter service for the king. Royal food and wine from the table of the king was prepared for these men, but instead of eating his food, Daniel and his companions refused to eat the king's food as to not defile themselves.

You know how the story goes, but the example that we can take away is that just as Daniel and his companions remembered that they were called out or separated, we too have been called out and separated. And because of that we must hold fast to our differences from the world, despite any persecutions that arise out of our differences.

God continue to give us the strength to stand firm in this evil day. We, as your followers are weak, but you are strong. Continue to work in us and through us to touch the lives and hearts of the home team fans so as to draw them to the visiting side. Help us to remember that we are visitors on the home team's turf, but we do not have to and should not act and do the things of the home team fans. Praise, honor and glory to the name above all names! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen!

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995
by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."