Getting Back to the Old Ways

Hmmm. Got to say something about what's going on; all this kneeling stuff. I'm sitting here in a football-less environment and I'm discovering something enlightening. I DON'T NEED FOOTBALL. For the longest time I bought into the machismo of football. But today, I've discovered - THERE'S LIFE WITHOUT FOOTBALL.  The veil has been lifted.

I've been a lover of football most of my life. It's a sport God used to make me who I am. Football's influence was mostly a positive learning experience for me. There was a time when football was a purer sport. Maybe there are instances of that still in college and high school (although universities and colleges make quite a bit of money from football and sports).  But not so much on the polluted professional level. Today, it's all about money and self. Today, I'm learning from NFL football's negative influence. I've seen the decline of a once great and fun sport. It's changed. It's no longer fun or a sport. It's been corrupted.

All those big strong, rich, college educated men kneeling together in defiance of the flag and national anthem from the country that has provided them such incredible privileges. Ain't they something? Well, I just saw part of a FB post that really reminded me of something in the recent past that exposed the hypocrisy in the NFL and sports generally.

Do you remember a few years back how well received the kneeling in prayer of a young man named Tim Tebow was received? You're not going to get a kinder, more gracious godly selfless person and yet he was mocked and mercilessly marginalized by players and media alike. Where was the outcry in support of him. Where was the outcry against those who so mean-heartedly criticized him? Silence. I have to admit that riled me. That appalled me. That just wasn't right. But I can't say it wasn't to be expected.

What's the difference?

Tim kneeled to honor God. That's not a popular thing to do. Accept that and you'd have to accept the possibility of an authority of Someone besides yourself. Accept that and you would be admitting that some things , some lifestyles, are sin. Can't have that. So Tim was verbally abused and no one in the main stream media did much to oppose it, let alone defend him.

What about today's kneelers? Why are they found to be acceptable? What's the difference? The truth? Today's kneelers kneel more for political purposes. They claim to be protesting social injustices of police action based on race. That's something to be gauged on a case by case basis in the courts. Do police err? I'm sure they do. They're humans asked to perform super human tasks. I can't think of a more stressful, not to mention thankless job. Proportionally they perform outstandingly. I'm proud of our police. Don't judge them by the minuscule few who cave to the stresses of the job. Those very few who act unjustly should be rooted out, exposed, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law for misusing their position. But I believe such are few, very few and far between. The issue is not the police.

 Is there racial injustice in our nation? I'm sure there is. But is it diminishing? The two term election of the first African American president seems to indicate so. That's incredible progress to be proud of. That's something to stand for not kneel against. But that seems all forgotten now. Conveniently forgotten.

And here is what I believe to be the true underlying cause of what is manifesting today. The recent presidential election was close and for those whose candidate lost, a great disappointment. They are throwing an extended tantrum over the outcome. And it is a tantrum. Make no mistake about about it, a big part of what we are seeing is bad-loserism. It's the ultimate poor sportsmanship. But we've seen that in sports for years now. Problem is, it's infected society beyond sports.

Kneeling is only a device to goad our commander in chief and further try to wear him down to deter him from his agenda. That agenda was fair and squarely voted for by the people. You can cry "not my president" and disgracefully try to dishonor the president, but he's a tough strong man who isn't showing signs of backing down. Good for him, and for those who voted for him. He speaks and tweets off the cuff. And that gets him in trouble. But he is our elected president. Thank goodness he's not a polished politician. That's really the last thing we need. We need someone who speaks in the peoples vernacular. You may not agree with him, but at least you know he says what he means and means what he says. He should be respected just as much as the former president was respected by those who did not vote for him.  What we are seeing now is unprecedented in modern American history. It's a step back not a step forward by those who claim to be "progressive."

Today, there is an anarchist fringe rioting in the streets at every opportunity and causing chaos. They manufacture slanderous propaganda and use it to justify their crime. All of it is a rebellion against our democratic system of governing. The kneeling is just an outgrowth of this. I wonder if those kneeling appreciate their freedom to kneel. I seem to remember the picture of a protestor being run at with a tank in communist China. In this land, in this country, people have freedom to protest and people have freedom to voice their displeasure toward such protests. Employers have freedom to terminate contracts when employees choose to protest ON THE JOB. Wonder how many of the kneelers would kneel if they risked losing their big bucks?

All this is to say that somehow, when all the facts are in, it appears to me these kneelings are disingenuous and fueled by political motives other than what is being stated. Is it the outgrowth of years of liberal progressive college indoctrination manifesting itself in college "educated" players? I believe that's a big part of it. But I believe there's a deeper older cause.

I believe our nation set itself up for such a situation by having long ago sold her soul for Sunday football and sports in general instead of investing in the spiritual growth of people individually and collectively. When we the people left churches and made the NFL our "religion" complete with stadium cathedrals, this, what we see today, became our inevitable destiny. And make no mistake, that's exactly what has happened.

What you see today is a parable of the largely twisted, confused, frustrated, dissatisfied heart of America. We've been reduced to a nation largely populated by what our enemy once defined as "useful idiots." Were sick. We're weak. We've allowed ourselves to be duped. We look to entertainers for direction in life. Entertainers! Actors! Performers! Those who wear masks for a living. Those who run on the surface of a field. We've been reduced to the point where we can't tell the difference between good and evil. In fact we call good evil and evil good. An ancient prophet warned of this (Isaiah 5:20).

But listen fellow citizen. Listen my fellow American. We need to see this as a godsend. Maybe this will wake us up.

Let's turn away from this junk and turn back to the riches of God's word. Let's reclaim our Sundays and free time to rest in the Lord, not in the stupid pigskin follies we've allowed to monopolize our time. Let's do some life gardening; some weeding. Let's take the hint from those who could care less about what those who pay their salaries and promote their fame have to say. Let's weed them out of our lives; or at least move them to a less influential part of our national yard. Let's get back to an old time past time: God; family; friends; church; service. Maybe if we actually get to know the people around us their won't be so much suspicion, fear and unfounded accusation. And if their is a valid accusation, maybe we can discuss it through to a better way.

Give me God, family, friends, and church in fellowship influencing our communities genuinely, and we'll be much better off. For one thing, we won't have to worry about the poor examples for our kids. Too many of the rich and privileged players flaunt their wealth and too often stomp on their victims. We won't have to worry about supporting or turning a blind eye to those who commit domestic violence or victimize people in sordid assorted ways. There more to life than wins and losses. That alone would be worth ripping up our season tickets.

Let's just move on. I suggest we return to God. Go to His word. Let's seek His kingdom and righteousness and truly all these needed things will come. I want to see America great again. I think every red blooded (and we are all red blooded) American wants that. That's not going to happen by spending our time shouting in stadiums rooting for millionaires addicted to self-glory. It's going to happen when the people of this land turn to more substantial things: God and His word, family, friends, church. Do that, and we'll know where we're going and how to get there.

I close with a scripture that includes a call:

Jeremiah 6:16

Thus says the Lord:
“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

The current developments just may have brought us to a crossroads as a nation. Are we going to continue running or kneeling on the  surface of life? Or are we going to go deeper? Will we see this situation as an opportunity, or will we continue to meander in our confused angry ways? Will we return to old paths and their good ways, or will we say "no" to that? Sometimes to move forward you have look back. And sometimes by refusing to look back, it prevents us from moving forward. Just think, all of this from some kneeling; from football? I knew football was good for something. Let's kneel together before the Lord.