What Does God Think of ESPN?

Each morning before school, my oldest son watches ESPN; you know, the 24-hour sports network. And, like most 14-year-olds, he leaves the TV on as he heads off to school. Usually, at this time of the day, I'm in the bathroom putting on my make-up and drying my hair. All the while, I can hear the blaring sportscasters giving the latest game scores and dishing on the latest gossip regarding the players. (I especially love to hear how much so-and-so is making for throwing a ball for a living! I'm also waiting to have my first student who is named Espn, pronounced Espen. I read a few years ago that it's an up and coming name for both boys and girls!)

The other morning, as I was mindlessly listening to the banter, this thought popped into my head: "Why do we need a 24-hour sports network or any other 24-hour "idol" worship? Why aren't we focusing on and worshipping God 24/7, and where is that 24-hour Christian network?"

Now, I only have expanded basic cable, so maybe there is a 24-hour Christian network that I don't know about. We do have one Christian station that we get, but in no way are big bucks spent on it to make it as slick and attractive as ESPN or other big networks. Why is that? Why are we so out of balance as to what we spend on our time and money on? I don't mean to be pointing a finger because I'm just as guilty. Even if there is a wonderful, up-to-date and current Christian television network out there, should we be spending a lot of time watching it?

Most of us are attracted to what's pretty or flashy. Those nice flat screen TVs make everything look colorful and sharp. We don't own one of these, but we love watching the one my parent's have. Especially the sports because you feel as if you're right there in person. (Although, I really didn't need to see that the Phillies' manager has hair growing out of his ears!) Unfortunately, anything pretty, flashy and colorful seems much more exciting than reading any of the 66 books in the Bible. It's a thick book! And mine doesn't have any pictures in it!

I guess my point is that technology (and that includes blogging!) can really become an "idol" to us. We need to remember that God doesn't like that!

You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,... Exodus 20:3-5

Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold. Exodus 20:23

Just for fun, I came up with some of my own titles that ESPN could stand for if it was a Christian network:

• El Shaddai Praise Now


• Everyone Shall Pray Now


• Everyone's Soul Pleasing Nourishment


• Everyone's Saviour Performing Nightly


• Eternity's Some Place Nice


• Eternity's Soothing Peace Needed


• Everyone's Saviour Painfully Needed

Okay, I know these are a stretch! I'm just being silly!

Seriously though, we need to be bold in striving to remove idols from our life and to focus more on God and His written Word. Remember, we're in this world but not of this world and have to try not to get sucked in. I'm in no way perfect and struggle daily with this. I just pray that we as Christians can be tuned into God's network 24/7 rather than anything else! Heaven will be more fascinating, beautiful and fancy than anything else here on earth!