Sugar Rush

As many of you know, Ohio defeated Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl last Tuesday in New Orleans. (Arkansas could have had it if Ohio didn't intercept the ball, but we won't discuss play by plays here. That's what YouTube is for.) I was actually at the game. Yes, you read that right: I was there! My brother plays trumpet in our school's band, and they were invited to be a part of the pregame and halftime shows. It was a once in a lifetime experience I never want to forget.

Sitting on the field was definitely a little disgruntling. We could hardly see the game because the team stood right in front of us and we weren't allowed to stand for long periods of time. And it was difficult to watch the screens since they were high up and unclear. So I was forced to depend on the thousands of fans to help me know what was going on. Fact: The Superdome can hold almost 80,000 people!! 80,000!! That's a LOT of screaming fans. (For you European futbol fans, think World Cup vuvuzelas times 2.)

Superdome before fans are allowed in.

Superdome after fans are aloud in (pun intended).

The whole weekend we were in NOLA fans swarmed the streets and sporadically yelled their respective school cheers (OH...IO! or Woo pig sooie!) It was really cool to see how passionate people were about the game. But, at the same time, it made me wonder: What if we as Christians had the same amount of passion about Christ as these fans have for their schools? Wouldn't it be amazing!?

Since I couldn't see the field well, I imagined the entire Superdome screaming and shouting for God's team; I was moved to tears. It was so surreal! If we can set time in our schedules to travel to a bowl game, can't we set time in their for God? Can't we go crazy for the Lord, too?

People often choose which university/college they will attend because of the football (American or European) team. They want the adrenaline rush of cheering at the top of their lungs until their voice is no longer in existence. They want the thrill of beating the other team. If we could spend just as much energy voicing our faith in Christ, the world would be a different place. So many more people would realize how exciting a relationship with Jesus really is. (I'm not saying it's easy, but it's definitely worth it.)

So instead of having a sugar rush, let's have a Jesus rush.
-Tori M.