It's Only a Game

It’s been one week since Super Bowl XLIII.

The general consensus is that this year’s game was one of the best in recent memory. Around here, at least, few people cared strongly who won or lost, even though we might have rooted for one team or the other.

When it was all over, I overheard the comment, “It’s only a game.”

Lots of people would argue with that, of course. To some, the Super Bowl is the Game of the Year. To others, the World Series or the Final Four carry much more importance.

What’s really difficult, I think, is to take that approach with life. Especially now, with business closings, job losses, retirement funds tanking, and on and on.

I don’t mean that those things are not serious and even discouraging. Basically, I want to stick my head in the sand and come out when it’s all better.

But I keep reminding myself that these are only things. Jesus cautioned, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6: 19-21, NIV).”

When I start to take life too seriously, that’s the verse I want to remember. Making a difference in the lives of other people is really what this game is all about.

Coveting

"They" say the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Or as Tevye pined, in Fiddler on the Roof, "If I were a rich man."

Sometimes we don't appreciate what we have until someone else wants it.

Recently I met a woman--a casual acquaintance of my husband's--who raved about what a good man he is. "I didn't know there were any good men left," she said.

She only knows him because he has shopped at her store a few times, but in the course of those visits, she learned a lot about him.

She didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, but sometimes I need to be reminded.
That's true with many things in life.

Sometimes we wish for a nicer house, newer car, prettier hair, closer family. We get jealous of other people who are better looking, smarter, or richer. But we don't know about the debts they owe, how their kids don't talk to them, or the medical problems they're facing.

According to the Bible, God has given us exactly what we need (see Matthew 6:25-32). When we covet what others have, essentially we are telling God that He doesn't know what He's doing. At those times, what we really need to do is thank God for what He has given us.

Jesus said, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34, NIV).

God, help me to remember that You have already given me all I need and to appreciate all that You have given me.