A Game Helps Us Forget, Worship Helps Us Remember

by Eric Elkin

“When Jesus turned and saw them following, he asked, “What are you looking for?”
They said, “Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?”
He replied, “Come and see.””

— John 1: 38ff

The Minnesota Vikings game moved into overtime as I parked my car in the church parking lot. The situation caused a spiritual dilemma. I needed to go inside to prepare for a meditative Celtic worship service. But I couldn’t walk my mind away from the game. How could I be authentically reflective when my mind was somewhere else? Worse, what’s Jesus going to say when the pastor is more focused on football than eternal life?

The tension only increased as I walked across the parking lot. Watching the game on my phone, I could barely contain my excitement as the Vikings started to move the ball down the field. However, as I entered the building, I remembered my faith and my calling. I put my phone away and turned my heart towards the worship service.

Just as I turned off the football game, though, a scream rang out from down the hallway. One of the church staff, Ariel, a diehard Viking fan, was listening to the game in her office. Her reaction let me know something big just happened. I ran to check it out, desperately trying to turn my phone back on. Any sense of calling to my faith was gone. I had folded like a lawn chair.

A pass play to Adam Thielen put the Vikings inside the New Orleans Saints 5-yard line. If the Vikings scored a touchdown, the game would be over, and they would win. Ariel and I listened to Paul Allen call the game on her computer. We huddled around my phone to watch it. Two failed run attempts filled the room with foreboding. Then it happened. They scored a touchdown. The game was over. We won. Ariel and I jumped for joy.

“Contemplation is nothing more than one’s whole person being seized by the reality of God’s love… it is in the depths of our being that we are seized by unique reality, the reality of the love of God which fills even the emptiness which each [person] knows deep within [themself]. ”

— Brother Roger, Taize Community

Looking back, I wondered why I felt so good after a Viking victory? There is nothing in it for me. I do not get paid for their victories, nor will it make my job easier. Win or lose, my life will not change one bit. Still, I am happy when they win and sad when they lose. What am I looking for when I watch one of my favorite teams play a game?

Ariel and I transitioned our hearts and minds to worship. We turned the sanctuary lights down and quietly gathered to pray. People from the community followed us into the sanctuary. The crowd was larger than usual. The music began, voices sang, and words were spoken. It was not hard to re-focus my thoughts. Despite the excitement of the football game, my inner thoughts were looking for attention.

Standing in front of the group to share a message, I looked into their eyes. I could see what this group was looking to find. They were looking for silence and reflection. They were looking for a sense of the divine in the midst of daily struggles. They were looking to find the place where Jesus dwelled, hoping that place was within their own hearts.

When the service was over, several people shared with me what they were seeking. A centering of their lives, a calm renewal of hope, and a quiet sense of joy. Their words made me think about the difference between a football game and worship. One helps us forget, the other helps us remember.

Worship helps us remember we are not alone. The words of the service, spoken and sung, remind us we are loved and lovable. It renews our sense of joy. This kind of joy is more enduring and life-giving than winning a play-off football game. I invite you to come and see if this is true.

Click to read John 1:29-42