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Seeking Things Above


If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Col 3:1)

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2008-08-31

Game Day


I took my two sons to opening day at Texas A&M on Saturday.  Another college football season kicked off this weekend.  Rabid fans all over the country have high hopes for their teams.  Everybody (but LSU fans) believes this year will be different.  This year, their team will be the last to stand, or at least not look as bad as last year.

The Aggies, like most of the larger schools, started the year off with a gimme.  A game against a smaller opponent to work out the kinks and get ready for the tougher games on the schedule.

Kyle field was packed.  Fans all clad in maroon sang praises to their team.  I think it is fair to say that many were worshipping their team.  I know, because I used to be a worshipper myself.  I've grown past that in my Christian walk.  I still enjoy Aggie football and enjoy the atmosphere.  But it's just a game.

The Ags were upset by Arkansas State.  As fans, we waited patiently through the first half, expecting a blowout but barely holding the Red Wolves at bay.  We all expected that in the second half our superior size, strength, and speed would wear them out.  At the end of the fourth quarter we all shook our heads in disbelief.

As we listened to the passionate disappointment and anger of some of the fans close by, I thought of a biblical upset (at least an upset in the minds of the home crowd).  I imagined what it might have been like to a typical Baal fan when Elijah's God, our God, trounced Jezebel's 450 prophets of Baal.

1 Kings 18:20-40

Just before kickoff...

It is another balmy but dry fall.  Rain has not fallen in over two years.  This year will be different however.  Ahab and Jezebel have 350 returning prophets and 100 new 5-star priests this year.  This is the year we bring home the mythical national trophy of the gods for Baal.

The biggest event of the year kicks off the season.  Jezebel's team of 450 Baal prophets are set to wipe the desert with our old God.  The God of childhood stories that a few are still silly enough to follow.  Well, today, we'll send those small fry followers of a childhood God running for the hills as the fire of Baal falls from the sky.

I can't believe this fool Elijah was crazy enough to schedule this opening contest.  Oh well, at least when Baal proves Elijah is living in a fantasy land, maybe we'll get the rain we've been seeking these last two disappointing seasons.  This is finally our year.  I can feel it.

We've won the coin toss and Baal gets to strike first.  I hear we're setting out our best bull.  That will certainly satisfy the appetite of our great Baal.  All the experts say that our prophets are ready for a big year.  This will be a great blowout victory to savor.  What a way to start the year of Baal festivities.

First quarter...

Look at the size of that beast out there on the alter.  I can feel the thunder coming in my bones.  I can almost smell the offering before the fire has even started.  Listen to the voices of our prophets call out to Baal.  Wow, the season I've been anticipating is in full swing.  "Go Baal! Go Baal! B-A-A-L Baal! Baal! Baal!"

Second quarter...

Ok.  Patience.  This is taking longer than I expected.  It's the first worship festival of the season.  I guess there are still some kinks to work out in the game plan.  I'm sure our prophets will get in a rhythm soon, then watch out you pesky little Yahweh followers.

Half Time...

Listen to that guy Elijah talk his smack.  Did he really just shout out that Baal was on the toilet or asleep?  Ok guys, next half let's wipe this guy and his so called God off the planet.

Third quarter...

This is no good.  If you let this guy Elijah hang around, he and his God will gain confidence and then there's no telling what will happen.  Who are these bozo prophets that Jezebel has run out here anyway?  All this talk about this year being different.  Maybe we should put a few of those prophets on the alter.  Why'd we change up our priestly staff from last year anyway.  This group is worse.   What a bunch of losers! 

At least this joker Elijah has to go next.  Once we're done laughing at his show I'm sure the judges will award us the victory.  It may not be pretty but a win is a win.

Fourth quarter...

Our prophets may not be very good today, but look what this guy Elijah is doing.  He drenched his alter with water.  In fact the trench around the alter is full of water.  Why did we even schedule this event against this small time, childhood God worshipping nobody.  We should only do these events against the Egyptians and Babylonians.  If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

What's that guy down there chanting now?  How can his God hear one lone voice.  450 of the best prophets in the land could not tempt our Baal to act.
"O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.  Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back."
BOOOM!!!

Game over...

Wow!  That was awesome.  Forget Jezebel and her prophets.  Elijah is the man.  Yahweh is the God!  Make room for me on this new bandwagon!!!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

T-
My son, nephew, and brother in law are all going to see the Rutgers opener vs. Fresno State. Should be around 86 with clear skies. We love college football more than any other sport! Needless to say, we're all hyped up!

All the best,

LL

Anonymous said...

Tony, This is great. I have never heard anyone link that passage to a football game. Except for the losing team isn't slayed, the emotion and the heart attitudes are alike. If I ever get to teach that passage I might have to borrow the idea. We do serve a creative God who shares freely His creativity as we serve Him.

GO NC State

Carol

Karen and Gerard said...

I bookmarked this post. Interesting presentation of God coming through as the only true God.

Tony said...

Lorenzo - It was clear skies in College Station as well. However we passed 86 degrees by 8am. Sounds like it was a great day for football in NJ although maybe not for the home team.

Carol\Karen - I couldn't enjoy the play on the field as ugly as it was so fortunately God blessed me with a blog post idea as I sat and watched my team fall apart.

Tony

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