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.