There's No Football In Heaven...( as told by Rochelle Frazier) / Gods at War

College football officially kicked off this past weekend and man did it kick off!! Our team went against one of the toughest opponents we'll face this entire season and we came up short. Although I was a little hurt, I know it's part of the game. You win some and you lose some but, oh wouldn't it be nice to win them ALL!! Yes, I'm selfish that way!:) After all the hoopla of the college football season starting, God had me take notice of a few things that I'd like to share. No, this isn't a rant post but more like a enlightening one. It all started when one of the wives on one of the pages I'm a part of on Facebook shared a story  from Rochelle Frazier's blog titled "There's No Football in Heaven". I provided the link here to the post, I believe its a great story. In short, the woman telling the story lost her son in a car accident and she talked about how she had a strong Christian family who loved football, in fact both boys played football and they even held them back in school just so they could get an advantage in sports. Football was pretty much life for them but unknowingly football had become an idol for them. She didn't really get this until she lost her son and had a vivid dream of him one night that she says, "God gifted her with and was her peace going forward."  In her dream, her son exclaimed not only how awesome heaven was but that there's no football in heaven ( please read the entire story its a tear-jerker).

This really struck a cord with me! Not only does my family love football but it's become life for us as well. But is it an idol for us? This is something I had to really think about. Now, I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with enjoying sports and cheering on your team. It's fun and for my family it pays the bills. I enjoy Saturdays in the fall, cheering on our team, watching everyone get excited, and watching our boys celebrate after a big play! Believe me it's an exhilarating experience.
 So where do you draw the line? What dictates whether or not something has become an idol?

A while back I read a book called Gods at War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for Your Heart   and the author stated
 "the problem is that the instant something takes the place of God, the moment it becomes an end in itself rather than something to lay at God's throne, it becomes an idol. When someone or something replaces the Lord God in the position of glory in our lives, then that person or thing by definition has become our god."

All I can say is WOW! So how does this fit into Football and my point? God has given us things to enjoy, provided us with the jobs that we have, sent us that spouse that we love, given us the talent that we possess, the homes that we live in, the cars that we drive, the children that we pour ourselves into, godly friendship....pretty much everything that we have flows from above. He has given us these things as gifts not things to worship and place before him.
When I look at social media and how people worship random people, celebrities, world leaders, sports teams, and body images so much that they spew out hate through hurtful and hateful comments just pains my heart. "Idolatry is the tree from which our sins and struggles grow".

I say all this to say, that after we lost our first game I realized the condition of my heart was totally out of order - "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" Prov.4:23. Yes, I am human and will be disappointed, hurt and upset at times but instead of looking at things with a grateful heart, I was irritated and mad. Am I entitled to my feeling? Absolutely. But am I suppose to pout and stump around like the bottom just fell out. NO!  Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in EVERYTHING give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

 I have to learn to not feel defeated when something doesn't work out in my favor or how I think it should have and instead lay everything at God's throne, cast every burden unto him and yep, you guessed it, KEEP IT MOVING!
This weekend also reminded me that so many people are carrying heavy burdens that's not theirs to carry.   We all have to remember to cast our burdens completely unto the Lord and remember there is no burden too small.

As a football wife, reading fans complain and commentator rip your team and coaches could be a heavy burden but I will be reminded that it's not my job to respond to the critics but to be still and know that he is the one and only true living God, not football and definitely not the critics. I now know that I MUST (yes it's a must) pray that my husband will cast his burdens unto God as well in order for him to fully enjoy his career. No, he hasn't complained, nor has he come across as concerned but as his wife I know that I must cover him in prayer just in case.:)

So, what did the Lord remind me this past weekend? 4 things:

1. To be sure that Football is not and will not become an idol for my family
2. To cast all my burdens unto him
3. To keep my husband covered in prayer
4. There's no football in heaven

Okay Lord, I got it! I hear you loud and clear.:) Such great reminders for the beginning of the football season!

Is God trying to get your attention? Are there things in your life that have unknowingly become idols to you? Remember: ANYTHING can become an idol once it becomes a substitute for God in our lives. That includes jobs, money, spouses, entertainment, houses, body image...anything. If so, confess repent and allow God to replace those things. Our God is a jealous God.

Purchase Gods at War below. It's an easy read and can help you identify different things that may have become Gods in your life.
They also have a Gods at War Student Edition & journal which would be a great back to school gift!

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!