Sports, organized or otherwise, seem to be ubiquitous in all cultures. And, despite recent concerns for chronic traumatic encephalopathy in today’s professional football leagues, modern American sporting events are generally safer and taken less seriously than in some other cultures (like this or this).
Given how common sports are and how often they can turn into idolatry and obsession, you might think sports would be roundly condemned by the Biblical authors. But that just doesn’t seem to be the case.
What is the case is that we need to have perspective because we have a more important race to run:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25 ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)
With that introduction, I just wanted to let you know about an important step in the history of our church: a 5 K!
If you’re going to the Village Vacation this weekend, make sure you bring your running gear. We’re going to meet in the parking lot at 7 a.m. Hopefully I can get the course marked out the night before, but maps will be provided. And I’ll get a prize for the winner.
