What a Basketball Game Taught Me About People

Some friends and I went to a college basketball game last night. It was a great time, something I haven't done since my college days twenty-some years ago. I'm not a sports fanatic, so I learned a couple of things I had forgotten about the game, which I expected. I also learned some things about people, which I didn't. Here are some observations, and yes, there will be a point at the end.

People are willing to make sacrifices for something they value.

We drove two hours to get to the event, and walked several blocks in near-zero temperatures after parking the vehicle. Half frozen, we presented our tickets, which one of my friends had purchased, to get in. We waited an hour for the game to start, with nothing to do but watch (boring) remote controlled toy planes fly around while sitting in uncomfortable seats. Oh, and we were not alone. Several thousand others made those very same sacrifices. And thought it was worth it.

People are loyal to a cause they believe in.

It didn't matter that the team we went to watch is not having a great season. It didn't matter that they were not playing particularly well last night. It didn't matter that none of the championship banners hanging from the ceiling were not from the most recent years. The fans who came to watch them play were loyal. Those fans believed in that team, and came to support them. They believed, and that's all that mattered.

People are zealous when their heart is committed.

Many fans were dressed head to toe in team colors, including painted faces and colored wigs. They screamed at the top of their lungs when the team was introduced. Fury erupted when they felt their team was wronged, and shouted encouragement when the team did something--anything--right.

And it's worth mentioning here the fans for the other team. Outnumbered hundreds to one, huddled together in a small corner next to the most rabid home fans, they were equally on fire. Literally risking physical harm, they raised their voices despite the overwhelming odds, and refused to be silent in support of their cause. They were hated, but they did not fear. Their hearts were fully committed.

So I wonder . . .

How many Christians are willing to make similar sacrifices, to show such loyalty, and to be as zealous for the cause of Christ? Regularly.

As the noise of the crowd enveloped me, I wondered how many of them were professing Christians, and of them, how many had cheered His name so loudly as they did the name of their favorite sports team.  How many of them knew the names of the twelve apostles as well as they knew the team roster? How many, like that tiny group who showed up to support the opposing team, would stand so fearlessly in the face of Christ's enemies?

What about you?

Would you drive hours, brave dangerous temperatures, pay money, and be uncomfortable to worship Christ? Do you follow Christ with such loyalty? Are you so zealous for Him that you proudly bear His name for all to see, that you would stand in the face of overwhelming odds and shout His name?

Basketball is only a game. Christ is eternal life. Who do you cheer for more loudly?