Neal Pollard

Corey Sawyers and I decided a few weeks back to go to the Georgia-Tennessee game at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, this past Saturday. Thanks to various reward programs and good deals, we were each able to do it all for less than a discount airfare. We were gone about 24, action-packed hours. We even were able to connect with the Shillidays, who had the same idea as us and made the trip from Colorado to Georgia. It was a lot of fun and we made some great memories. While there, especially in the several hours we were at the stadium, several things occurred to me that I would like to share.

• People get emotionally invested and passionate about what they love.
• Diverse individuals can unite around a common cause.
• We sacrifice (time, inconvenience, effort, money, and voice) for what we truly care about.
• We can be bold enough (vocally and visually) to let everyone know where we stand.
• We may be too quick to forget past successes, but we’re also quick to forget past failures. 
• With sufficient interest, we can endure discomfort (backless seats, extreme heat and humidity, and no elbow room).
• We do not let lack of knowledge or understanding of a subject (like the rules and strategy of college football) to keep us from speaking up.
• We tend to be proud of our history and heritage (coaches, players, broadcasters, past seasons), feeling a sense of connection or belonging through it.
• Despite aforementioned unpleasantries and sacrifices, most remain willing to do it again in the future. 
• We can quickly build a bond with likeminded people, even strangers, out of a common love.

It’s easy to see the comparisons and contrasts between our Saturday experience and trying to be a Christian in our world today. Obviously, I am not disparaging going to ballgames and having a good time. It’s great fun! But, it always reminds me of my need to exhibit greater commitment and zeal for the only thing that matters eternally. My prayer is that, in every way it can be measured, my heart, mind, soul, and strength will be most invested in loving the Lord, His church, and the lost. It also makes me aware of the vast potential in every person, properly directed, to seek first the Kingdom of God! How many, adequately exposed to God’s will and His offer of salvation, will wholeheartedly embrace and share it? Seemingly, the numbers are staggering! May we be enthusiastically about the Lord’s business.