I
watched the New Orleans Saints play their first game in the Superdome
since Hurricane Katrina. The game aired Monday night with a lot of
fanfare – U2 and Green Day did a pre-game concert, first responders
were on-hand, and former President George Bush did the ceremonial coin
toss. Riding the swell of emotion that coming “home” to the
Superdome evoked in most of the fans, the Saints went on to beat the
Falcons in solid fashion.
No,
I’m not just talking football here. Bear with me.
Disclaimer
#1: I
really enjoy football. More than any other sport it catches my
attention and interest. Go Ravens!
Disclaimer
#2:
Don’t take anything I say as a knock against
New Orleans
, the recovery effort, the government (local and federal), or
Louisiana
. That’s not intended in any way.
That
said … a couple things about last night took me by surprise and NO,
the Saints winning wasn’t one of them. The first was this:
throughout the game the cameras were scanning the stands, showing the
excitement and enthusiasm of the
New Orleans
fans. Just after halftime, someone held up a sign that read –
“St. Reggie & St. Drew – our Saviors.”
The
second thing? In an interview with ABC’s Suzy Kolber, former
Saints quarterback Archie Manning said, “We’re looking to the Saints
to give us some joy and happiness.”
I
understand the excitement of the evening and I understand the 13 months
of extreme distress the city of
New Orleans
experienced. I don’t begrudge them the night. They
deserved a party – a big one. They’re on their way back from
the worst natural disaster in American history. They have wanted
something to cheer about for a long time and that’s ok. In fact,
its more than ok – it’s great.
Here’s
the thing … aren’t we losing a little perspective? I know that
football has become a kind of “cultural religion” in the
US
. Tailgating parties are replacing church potlucks and PSL’s are
the new pew rent, but we’re approaching the ultimate deception if we
believe that football can save us or give us happiness and hope.
There is only one Savior – the name is Jesus. Nothing is more
sufficient than the grace, mercy and hope found through the crucifixion
and resurrection of Christ. And when we seek hope in any human
form or figure we will never be satisfied and we will never know true
happiness. As great as the game was Monday night, it could never
provide all that was being expected.
The
disaster of Katrina has given the church an unprecedented opportunity to
share the love of Christ in word and deed with the people of the
Gulf
Coast
. My prayer since has been that God would sweep through
communities with the power of the Holy Spirit and bring revival and
renewal. I believe that God is
moving and that God’s people are
making a difference, but last night I was reminded of just how far we
have to go. We are making progress in the struggle for housing and
services. We need to make more progress in the struggle for hearts
and souls.
Am
I making too much of these two isolated events last evening?
Maybe. But I believe that any time we look for hope, strength and
joy outside of Jesus we are paving the road to our own demise. I
pray we discover the Only Answer to life’s questions. It really
is … all about Jesus.
Godspeed,
Pastor John