A Jarring Combination

In the world of major league sports, two stories have been vying for our attention lately:  1) The Super Bowl, of course—that annual extravaganza of NFL greatness, along with the crazy-creative TV commercial competition, plus countless game-watching parties (like the one at Goshen); and 2) The shocking and sorrowful passing of 41-year-old NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash last Sunday along with his daughter Gianna and seven other people.

This juxtaposition creates an odd feeling.  On the one hand, many of us are excited to watch the Super Bowl, and more than a few Philly fans are rooting for Kansas City in the hope that former Eagles coach Andy Reid will finally get that championship ring:  Bring on the 49ers, unleash Mahomes, go Chiefs! On the other hand, in the shadow of the Bryant tragedy we’re all so keenly aware that even the most lofty heights of sporting glory are fleeting, and that life itself is exceedingly fragile.  All those pictures of Kobe reveal a big, strong, physically fit man in his prime—and yet, in the blink of an eye, he’s gone.

I wonder if a deep awareness of the triviality of sports celebrity status is what’s driving a good bit of media attention toward Kobe’s family life and his delight in being a “girl dad.”  In fact, “girl dad” stories have been all over social media this week, along with encouragement to parents to cherish the all-too-brief times they have with their kids.

This impulse to look beyond sports mania and focus on relation­ships with family and close friends, is, shall we say, moving in the right direction.  God made us for each other; we’re designed to thrive in community.  So make time to invest in and enjoy the relationships God puts before you—it’s time well spent.

And most of all, let the jarring combination of cheering and grieving this weekend remind you to “look up.”  I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1).  Fix your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2), the giver of life and lover of our souls.  And rest in the beautiful truth that Lord of love will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  Turn to him, rest in him, and invite all the wonderful loved ones God has put into your life to join you in praising Jesus—now and forever!