Oddly enough, over the past few months, I've not strayed from my general feelings about sports ("balls"). Yes, Arch. Averky was not talking about those types of balls. At other times people have talked about those types of "balls," however (or more accurately, the almost religious fanaticism that has become a part of them). What do some of the ball games teach us? That it's ok to beat up other people, and get beat up yourself? For what? The thrill of competition? The chance "to be top dog"? For "fun"? And legalized assaults? What do we call that? Boxing? Hockey? I'm someone who used to go to small time "professional" hockey games and love the fighting (I used to go watch hockey in the same arena and town they filmed Slap Shot in, as a matter of fact). But is this what Christianity teaches us? That two guys should beating each other up? And not for freedom, or protection, mind you, but for the fun of it, or because they are their teams "enforcer" or goon? Besides, it's entertaining to watch people punch each other's daylights out. We'll turn the other cheek on Sunday morning, but Saturday night we want to see a Heavyweight boxing match and a couple hockey fights. Then after Sunday morning, we can watch 300 lb. guys hit each other as hard as they can all afternoon so that they can carry an oblong ball covered in pig skin across an imaginary line so that... um... well there's a lot of money to be made, I guess.
I'm not saying that all sports are evil. I'm not saying that throwing a football around is bad, or that roller hockey is of the devil. I do think we Christians have bought into Satan's latest trick, however, and have left off even pursuing the goal of meditating on God day and night. When it comes down to it, the various balls (sports) are no different than the various balls (dances). Both try to grab ahold of our attention. Both can become worldly, prideful obsessions. Both can be harmless if done properly. However, both are rarely done in a Christian manner.
steps off the soapbox