I was listening to sports talk radio the other day and got a glimpse of how far away we’ve come as a culture from having our priorities in order. The radio host had posed a question. “What are the top 3 things that pro athletes do that drive you crazy?” He then went on to list some of the top headline grabbers of the last few years…audultry, murder, greed, showboating, leaving a team for more money, etc.
A caller was on the line and started to make a case how he doesn’t think athletes having affairs and abandoning their children is a big deal because “he’s only affecting a small number of people”, but something like what Labron James did to the city of Cleveland was a horrible, evil thing because it affected so many people.
I literally sat in my car on the verge of tears. There are so many things wrong with that callers position I couldn’t even begin to discuss them in a short (or kinda long) blog post. But one thing I will address to the men of my generation…grow up. I don’t mean in a “you hurt my feelings” kinda way…I mean in a “stop pursuing and living for the toys and hobbies that you were obsessed with when you were 12, go get a real, full-time job to support your family, be the spiritual leader of your home and learn how to be a man.” I’m really not sorry if your a man and that hurt your feelings, if it did then just consider that more evidence of the fact that you need to grow up.
We live in a culture where someone can call into a radio show and spout crap about how sports are more important than marriage and family. Ultimately, that is what the caller is saying. I will challenge my generation that we agree with the caller every time we decide to spend more time in a week checking and working on our fantasy football team than we do spending time with our children and spouse. This isn’t an attack on fantasy football, I’m in two leagues this year…it has nothing to do with that. It’s simply one example.
I believe that God is calling a generation of men that will stand up and live like true men. That will be responsible financially, that will work to provide for their families, that will be spiritual leaders in their homes…that won’t put sports, or videogames, or some other stupid hobby in front of their family as a priority in their life.
…and I do think Lebron should have stayed in Cleveland, so I’ll have to root against the Heat this year. 
peace,
pastor Greg
