Devotional February 8, 2021

As I write these words, it’s still Superbowl Sunday. It’s a big day for the coaches, the players, the advertisers… and of course, the fans.

I’m not a particularly ardent football fan. I root for the Eagles, mostly because that’s good for my marriage. Yet I’m not a big fan, and I’m not emotionally invested in the outcome of a game, and I don’t practice any game day traditions or superstitions. For example, I don’t believe that where I sit or what shirt I wear has any impact on the outcome of the game. (On this, my husband and I disagree.)

I generally think that what we do as “fans” has very little to do with whether the team wins or loses… except in one place: the city of Seattle. In Lumen Field (previously known as CenturyLink Field), the home of the Seattle Seahawks, the fans make a considerable difference. The shape and construction of the stadium amplifies crowd noise — to the point that the fans have broken two Guinness World Records for noise volume. It gives the Seahawks a considerable home-field advantage, something like a 12-on-11 advantage. The fans, together, are the “12th Man” on the field. 

So in Seattle, sitting on the sidelines makes a difference. Everywhere else… not so much. And the church, the body of Christ, is no exception. 

Today’s scripture reading comes from the book of Romans… and if you’re looking for a scripture that will justify a “sitting on the sidelines” kind of Christianity, this passage from Romans is not it. 

In the first part of the passage, the apostle Paul speaks of wholeheartedly pursuing the will of God in one’s Christian life. He encourages his readers to renew their minds so that they’ll know God’s will. He calls them to be a “living sacrifice” — a first-century way of saying: give God your whole selves, all that you are, your heart and soul and mind and body.

And then in the second part of the passage, he shares a list of actions and activities that will help them to be the church and strive after God’s will. It’s not meant to be an exhaustive list; it’s more of a snapshot of the Christian life. And that snapshot is filled with action. Be devoted to one another. Honor each other. Share with those in need. Practice hospitality. Serve God. Cultivate joy, patience, faithfulness. And do all of this in the spirit of genuine love. 

Seek after God’s will, Paul is saying in Romans. Pursue it actively, with everything you have. Clearly, this is not a message for nominal Christians who are content to sit on the sidelines. This is a message for committed Christians who seek to have a real impact on the game, so to speak.