Commitment

This morning, my wife and I visited a local Christian Fellowship for the first time.  It's always interesting to meet up with folk, whom one has known for many years but with whom one has lost touch, when one visits in such a way.  We were not disappointed!

I have to confess that, for me, the drummer in the band should have had his sticks removed, and certainly not have been "miked up"!  To say that his contributions were deafening would be an understatement!

However, the really unusual thing was when, half-way through the preaching of the message, a number of folk left their seats, and walked out.  I might have thought that they had taken offence at something the preacher had just said (although the only, to me, inappropriate illustration, was shared after they had gone!), but what was noticeable was the wearing of the colours of our local Motherwell Football Club by those who left.

That was the problem!  It would appear that Motherwell were playing, at home, in what I suspect may have been the final match of the season (not really a 'soccer' fan!).  Just checked - they lost!  There was an early kick-off, so these dear folk had made the decision to leave the worship service, and the message, and head for the terraces!

It is not for me, or any other human being, to make final judgements.  That is the Lord's prerogative.  However, I found myself questioning the commitment of those who had made that decision!  It seems to me that they were, in effect, proclaiming that a game of soccer was more important than worshipping the Lord, and learning how to live their Christian lives better; that the fortunes of MFC take priority over the service of the King of kings.

Jesus said: "If any one comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.  Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me, cannot be my disciple. ... ... So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26-27, 33; RSV).

I wonder where He would have placed a soccer match?!