"God is not the result of our imagination; we are the result of his."
This, in a nutshell summarises the two worldview options presented to us on our planet. Most, in the UK will believe (the truth) that FIFA is the governing body of the World Cup and that they are not to be liked or bowed to. We should not obey them, rather we should direct all our hostility, anger, self indignation at a collection of people (who we have no direct relationship with) for their handling of the world cup in Qatar. Yet at the same time we're told to get equally passionate about 22 fellas kicking a ball of air on top of some extremely well watered vegetation. (By the way we have no direct relationship with them either, even if we dress like them and give all our emotions for them).
I love footy, and have been overly passionate about it from a young age. I remember taking my football to bed as I fell to sleep at the age of 6 in my goalie gloves. George wood, Bob Latchford, Neville Southall, Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish could do no wrong in my eyes. As a kid a "world in motion" defined by a spinning ball just about summed up my life. Qatar is a wonderful distraction, an imaginative and creative show, putting a bit of verve in the day for countless people in hard times. Offices (getting back to normal after covid) are bringing in the BIG TV back for "meetings" after lunch, so that those who have not decided to work from home have a way of keeping up with a few hours of games each day (whilst they "work").
Consider the many journalists who despite their numerous complaints of all things Qatar, seem quite content in getting paid to gather in Qatar for a massive freebie "festival" of food, fans and football. There is no shortage of praise and worship directed at the stars of our age. This is the definition of truth we are told, something which everyone should sign up for, watch, invest in, worship and agree about as we all wear the bands of equality. Without exception football should bring all of us to together and define our lives (at least for a month). I cannot help but see the irony here. These impositions to manage our affections, on the basis a human construct being elevated to an obsessive religion. When I talk to my neighbour (who is glued to all the matches), he fits food in between matches, he walks the dog to not be distracted from "the important stuff". Then he watches the highlights. His monster TV lights up the street, long past the time our street lamps have gone out (to save the planet and increase accidents and muggings, at least I think that's what the Bournemouth echo said). My mate jokes about his football "religion", but he has no intention of changing it, and would barricade the door if you tried to take him away from his first love. It cost him marriage and family. He is also convinced that God, the church and all that stuff is 100% just "make believe", and without any good to offer us, or a splash of relevant consequence on his or any of our lives. If the Qatar World Cup is the pinnacle of life, what does it teach us, about our desire for worship, our ability to include, our corruption of the heart, our ability to lead the world, ultimate human progress ? What is the answer, to go bigger, better and spend more money next time ?
So God is a construct? Isn't this what everyone believes ? Developed by oppressors over the centuries to impose on humanity a human leadership in nothing other than its vivid imagination that someone must be out there somewhere. Why should I bow before a mere human to worship them in this way ? (Oh the irony!)
How interesting that you my friend see an invented game as a "foundation" for life, but all the evidence of a created order must be a construct.
How can millions tune in with glee to worship a man like Messi, and describe him as the Messiah who does no wrong, without ever comprehending that he is just a man (who with increasing age, and decreasing abilities) may actually fail (against Senegal). Yes there is genius in humanity, where did it come from ?
This interesting comment by ILLYA MCLELLAN on football being a "global showpiece" raises some difficult questions, as the obsession of millions grows into an ever increasing monster.
Yet at the same time millions of oblivious humans will walk under a cosmos tonight, that hangs in perfect rhythm and orchestration with the world on which we live and breath, and not entertain the idea that something greater than man must be above us, and above all of life. Today we did not fry because the Sun was too close (even in Qatar), and we did not freeze because it was too far away (even in Ukraine). The seasons maintained order despite all that we've done to our planet. In God's order life is sustained, even though fallen and however much we have damaged it, under human leadership. You are right friend, we need to bow before something or someone greater than ourselves.
Our beginnings are in the God who created us, to be creative, to be loved eternally, and to love, to enjoy activity and all the diversity and unity of life under his creation. We will never understand ourselves without seeing the God-man for who he is. Our future is also in him as we accept that all of who he is might define all of who we are meant to be. True equality is in him, we're all made by him, known by him, and loved unconditionally by him. These are BIG consequences though... bigger even than a game of football, and maybe you don't want to see that coming ... would you be brave enough to entertain such a notion?
In the opening of the possibility that there is a God who made you and I, loves you and me and gave himself for you and me, yes there are consequences, gloriously awesome ones, way bigger than you or I can comprehend, and way more useful reverberations to our thinking, our living and our journey into eternity. All I want to say is... maybe it is worth a thought and consideration. Maybe it will be worth more than 90 minutes of your life?
Don't right God off so fast... amazingly he hasn't done with you , and doesn't see you as a figment of your imagination but a real created person from his, who might at some point twig that there is something and someone greater for us, than football, or anything or anyone else for that matter.
Here's a match you might be interested in....
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