I’m a hockey fan. A relatively recent one, I’ll admit—I really just started paying attention and learning the sport a few years ago. But even so, this time of year is my favorite for sports: the Stanley Cup playoffs have begun. If you listen to the commentators, Playoff Hockey (and yes, when they say it, it’s a proper noun) is in an entirely different realm of existence than regular season hockey.
Sports fans are so interesting. I’ll spend a season watching “my” team, and somehow I think just the act of watching has an effect on the outcome. For most of this season, for example, it seemed like any time I turned on a Flyers game, they lost. In at least one instance, they blew a very solid lead late in the third period and lost in overtime—and the collapse began at the very moment I turned on the television. I knew it was me. Not that I’m superstitious or anything….
The reality of course is that the fans have very little to do with the final score. Of course there’s the crowd factor at a game, home ice advantage, the whole bit. But it’s the players that truly determine the outcome. And we fans all know that.
And yet, when the Flyers win a game, and especially when they win in the playoffs, I’ll catch myself saying, “We won.” As if I were out on the ice with them. Right. If I really tried that, I’d last about three seconds. But somehow I identify with the team. I want to share in the celebrations and commiserate the losses.
That’s the reverse side of the envy coin I was contemplating the other day. Jealousy manifests in me as a discontent with what I have, with the desire for more or different or better. But it also comes out when I see someone else to whom God has given a lot. I may not necessarily want what they have, but often I want them not to have it either. When I see a friend or family member blessed, I’ll admit that my first reaction is often, “What did they do to deserve that? What makes them so special? Can’t God see…?”
But God wants me to be a fan of the people I love, in much the same way I’m a fan of the Flyers. When my team wins, I don’t ever think to myself, “Why do they get to be there and I don’t? What makes them better than I am?” Instead, I share in the victory, I cheer and celebrate and for a moment I’m part of the team. When my wife or my kids or my friends win, I should cheer and celebrate and praise God’s goodness. I should be joyful knowing that He gives abundantly to His children, and that the blessing I’m seeing in others is a reflection of His love. Instead of making me jealous, it should give me hope and build my faith. “See?” I should think. “God answers prayer, He meets our needs, and He gives wonderful, beautiful gifts to the people He loves.”
The best part is I will get my turn. Not because I deserve it. Not because God owes me anything. But just because He loves me.
Photo Credits: Face off with logo by The700Level, 4/12/08
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