Everyone who knows me, knows that I'm a die hard Suns fan. When the season is here, I go a little crazy...okay, I'll be honest, I turn into a Suns Freak. It can be so easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game, and the craziness of the season, and then the playoffs! Wow man! I get excited just thinking about it! A several months back I began to do some real self evaluating. Now please hear me out...there is nothing wrong with being a sports fan. However, for me, I became more excited about following the Suns, (and I have followed them since I was in 3rd grade), than I was excited about spending time with God. That was hard to come to grips with, and even harder to do something about it.
I realized several months back that I wanted to do something about this...and just so everyone knows, this was BEFORE the Suns lost in the playoffs, so let's get that off the table now. This wasn't about the Suns, but what God was doing in my heart. I have a room in our house that Violet so graciously let me decorate, actually decorate is an understatement. This room became a god to me. I know it sounds really exagerated, but it's not. I spent so much money decorating this room with Suns autographs, retro pictures, jerseys, posters, even had a fathead(basically a big sticker) of the suns gorilla on the wall, even painted the room a awesome burnt orange color, purchased some awesome manly furniture for the room, and it looked just about completed...until something else came along that I needed for it. It became my god. It was taking my time, my treasure, and talent as well.
My Time-I spent time constantly trying to make it better...and better...and better.
My Treasure-I was spending so much money on a room that wasn't leading anyone closer to Christ, and it's not my treasure any ways, it's all the Lords, and I had become a poor steward.
My Talents- my creativity was high in developing that room. All for what....
So what am I getting at? That room was about ME, and only ME.
A few months back I told Violet that I wanted to change that room. I wanted to get rid of everything, and make it into a room for her and I to retreat to, spend time together, and challenge each other as we read God's word together. So that's what we are doing. There won't be any TVs in that room, no pictures of my favorite basketball team hanging on the wall, just pictures of my beautiful wife, and our awesome family, 2 couches that will be a place that we can spend time together talking, and praying together, and yes I am painting the room.
I found something interesting as I have been going through this process, I can talk basketball, enjoy going to a game, and even watch it, but I want to live a life that is pleasing to Christ, one that loves his wife unconditionally, one that is more passionate about his relationship with Christ, than he is about his favorite sports team.
The title of this post was "Still a fan" and I believe I am, that will not change. However, what will change is my passion.
3 comments:
I always love personal insight posts like this one because I find it compelling to get a look into the lives of others.
Sharing your struggles helps others realize that the things they go through are more common than they might think.
Thanks for sharing Postmodern Pastor DC.
I love you man!
Well done, Danielson.
Seriously, proud of you man and its cool seeing how God is working in you and growing you as you surrender to loving him.
This story made me recall a great 4 word sermon I heard not too long ago - "Love God, Love Others."
There was something about a shovel mixed in there too, but not sure what that was all about :)
That is awesome that you realized that and did something about it. I'm afraid we all have things that take priority over the Lord sometimes. It's just that a lot of the time we aren't willing to change that. Thanks for putting yourself out there and letting us all see the real you!
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