Fantasy Sports Knowledge.......how much do we really need?

I have to admit - I love sports, especially football. I love my Oklahoma State Cowboys, Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys. It's amazing how much information I have inside my brain of past players, records and any other types of information regarding those teams. That doesn't include the days of playing junior high and high school football either. Just for kicks, I'll never forget 1985 where Oklahoma defeated Nebraska where the Huskers spouted off they were going to beat them when they came to visit. The paper the Sunday after the game said "Huskers manfully, quietly eat crow." Now that's just intense fan frenzy!

I've come to realize that so many people are really involved in fantasy sports (football, baseball, basketball, etc) and "live" to collect more information about their favorite players, teams and whatnot that it's incredible. I have heard friends tell me often how they have to get online throughout the week to check up on their players on their fantasy teams and players to be sure they're in a good 'position' going into the coming week for the best chance to score points.

My whole point being in this discussion is to bring a key fact that has been discussed in my church and with other Christ followers recently. What if we all chose to get deeper in the Bible and God's teaching to 'rattle off' the scripture or past history of Christ like we do often when it comes to our favorite players or teams? Personally, this is a 'gut check' for myself as well. Instead of taking the time to read up on player updates, biographies, team reports throughout the week and I would choose to get into God's Word more often, what would that look like for me? What would my relationships look like? What would my daily actions and choices become like? What would my Saturdays and Sundays look like where I could do something more Christ-honoring instead of sitting in front of a TV shouting for my favorite teams?

Personally, I noticed this past weekend I was yelling at the TV and becoming more frustrated that I had been in a few years - and for what really? It is only a game. My mom actually always said it but I really see it now. I allowed an inanimate object to control and bring much emotion to my state for quite some time. Passion for something is alright, yes, but to have rage like I felt inside and so forth, that's not good. Therefore, I really had another gut check of reality from God and how I can attack these opportunities as they arise in the future.

How have you thought of this concept of 'cramming our heads full of sports knowledge' and mindlessly watching ESPN until we're like zombies? Ever thought that the devil could be working in our lives to keep us from joy, contentment, peace in Christ? What if we all joined together on Christ's team and cheered on others to join the fight? What would it look like? If you are interested in knowing more, email me or comment here. The more, the merrier, because we need to come together as a body to encourage and uplift one another.