LOST-temporary football fans of professional football team in America’s
Finest City. Last seen wearing team jerseys, some with numbers. Last seen in
local bars and restaurants, no one knows their whereabouts now. Sudden
disappearance after Sunday’s games loss. If found, please don’t return
them-real fans needed. Apply to Qualcomm Stadium, part time position. Bring
shirts.
And so it goes, another season of hopes, dreams, folly, and fake enthusiasm
for the Chargers is over. And the endless supply of whining and excuse making
has begun. True fans never whine, they support. Maybe it is the team, a team
plagued by a quarterback, Phillip”who never delivers” Rivers, and his band of
hopefuls. Believing the press, just not translated to victory on the field. A
team that was only in the playoffs because of a blown call in the last game of
the season, and whose fan base multiplied because they were in the playoffs.
Where were these fans when they needed to sell out to be televised? Try that
one in Oakland. Why is it whenever the team’s owners don’t get their way, they
threaten to go to LA-why don’t we let them? Can you see the Chargers in baby
blues in LA? It was too tough for the Raiders in black! But every year
America’s Finest City is help hostage again, with the hope that temporarily
enough fans will show up to support them. Maybe they should look to Green Bay,
where the fans own the team-for some real leadership. And ask yourself, why did
Eli Manning tell San Diego he wouldn’t play for them if drafted? The pressures
of the NY press were easy to take against the apathy of San Diego. And he has
only been the MVP twice in two Super Bowls. Watched on TV by Charger fans. So
why is it that the Chargers never seem to measure up-is it the team, or it it
the fans? Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken-says so right
here in Genesis. So it starts with the team-or is it chicken fans? Where are
all the Charger shirts we saw everyone wearing last Friday, on this sunny Monday
morning? Put away with the Bolo ties for another 4 years. Ask yourself, what
self respecting fan wears bolos, they are for cowboys-and not just in Dallas.
Perhaps the real price of fan loyalty will be found on Ebay later this month,
when Charger memorabilia will be sold for cheap to buy new surf boards and sun
tan lotion. Trendy yuppies-just like San Diego football-no depth at all-but for
a few weeks....
Life has shown us a great admiration for those who have great stats. But
great stats don’t win games, outscoring the opponent does. And although great
stats may mean a bonus for next year’s contract, we still play the game to win.
I think. And while so many in the warm weather will talk of how many yards
Rivers threw for, how many yards #24 had, they too will be watching the Super
Bowl at home, along with their few remaining fans. Try that one in New England,
in below zero temps. Try that one in Dallas...fans to the end. Remember the
Alamo? Sorry, that was San Antonio. Bear fans, Saint fans, who have something
to cheer about, a quarterback and running back cast off from here, who just
happened to win a Super Bowl there. What about the Seahawks and their 12th man
fan base? Too much latte-it certainly isn’t the uniforms. And it is repeated
in towns like Washington, DC, Chicago, Miami, Pittsburg, and San Francisco.
Just not here...
Temporary fans are nothing new, even outside of football. In the pre-NFL
days of Jesus, the week of Passover He was led into town victoriously. Parties
everywhere, t-shirt sales must have been booming. The King is coming-the King
is here. God heard our prayers, and He has sent us a savior. But one week
later, just before the big game, they turned on Him. You see they wanted a
victory over the Romans, freedom from the physical, not the spiritual. The
disciples were even made up of men who were anarchists, wanting to overthrow the
Roman government. And then there was Jesus. And soon all the fake fans, the
last week fans were gone, turned against Him, cheering for the local government
team, in hope that they wouldn’t be remembered with Him. Even the night before
His death, Peter, leader and tough guy, was talked down by a teen age girl. And
the night after His death, 10 of the remaining 11 were to be found hiding out in
the upper room, doors locked, afraid for their lives. All but one, who was
later mislabelled as a Doubter, it was Thomas out looking for His Lord, looking
for answers. He wanted proof...he got a bad rap. No temporary fan he. What
made these men huddle together, and then go out changing the world like no
others since? What was it that made John the Beloved from John, the brother of
James, the Sons of Thunder, anarchists. What made the others devote themselves
to Jesus, despite threats of death, and finally all being martyred to death.
Sewn in half, crucified upside down, flayed alive, with only John dying of old
age-after being boiled alive in oil, and left to die on Patmos. What was it
that made them loyal fans? Was it the shirts? The stickers? Maybe the
banners, or a relaxed Friday where they all dressed in home colors? Or was it
something unseen, that the part time fans didn’t see...but that can only be seen
in the spirit?
Many lost fans of Jesus out there today. Part timers, going with the
trend, whatever makes them feel good. Yuppie theology, gotta look good. But
without a change of heart, without the touch of the Holy Spirit, you are just
hiding out, maybe not in an upper room, maybe in plain sight, just with others
like you so you aren’t noticed. Maybe even in a Chargers shirt-hoping for next
season. But how many are really looking for Jesus like Thomas was? Who were
not found hiding, who want proof before they make a commitment? And who, when
they do, are fans for life? If Jesus ran an ad for the missing followers, the
fans, how would you respond? Would you even respond? How many will pick up
their cross and follow Jesus, knowing that every game will not be a victory, but
that you will win in the Super Bowl of life? Just one game-but it takes a
lifetime of seasons to get there. Some will put up stats, gaining praise from
fellow members, but missing God. Some will struggle and barely get in, but will
still get in. Fans to the end. So where are all the Charger shirts today?
Better yet, where is your witness of Jesus? Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.
True fans never leave. See ad above.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com