First Love Followers - 8 of 12
August 25, 2019
When I was younger, I used to watch sports on television and made time to do so. These days, now that I’m, well, no longer “younger”, I’m much busier than I used to be and don’t watch sports on television.
I believe there are three levels of those who watch sports either on the television or at the actual event: there are “acknowledgers”, there are “fans”, and then there are “followers.”
"Acknowledgers" are aware of the team, and the sport, and might know when the sport is played. They acknowledge major events and might watch same if invited by friends but wouldn’t do so on their own.
"Fans" cheer, watch and actively get together with friends to whoop it up and make noise around major sporting events. Afterward, aside from a jersey here, foam finger there or a few days of water cooler chatter, there really isn’t much evidence that they paid any attention.
"Followers" are the folks that are all in! They go to the games, they buy the tickets, and they paint their faces the given colors of choice. They know all the players, their backgrounds, where they came from and their statistics…they are immersed, it impacts every part of their lives, and it is absolutely evident.
Here’s the question: which one are we personally (an “acknowledger,” “fan” or “follower”) in our faith in God through Jesus Christ?
In the Book of Judges we read about Sisera, Barak and Deborah. Sisera was an “acknowledger,” Barak was a “fan,” and Deborah was a “follower”. Their lives looked very different because of their relationship with God.
Scripture calls us to acknowledge God, and to be fans of His moving in the world despite how circumstances appear, but ultimately we are to become followers in a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’” (Matthew 16:24, NKJV)
The reason why I don’t watch sports anymore is because I’m too busy; ministry, family, and more interesting recreation have taken me away, possibly never to return.
In Revelations 2:4 Jesus indicts the church in Ephesus, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
We cannot become too busy for the Lord! Too busy, even while doing good works, to graduate from “acknowledger,” to “fan,” and from “fan” to “follower.” We are called ever deeper into a relationship with Jesus Christ; walking with Him, prompted by the Holy Spirit via faith.