First, let me clarify that I am neither a Packers fan, nor a Seahawks fan. I am a huge sports fan and especially a football junkie. I will admit that I am an Aaron Rodgers fan and have a great respect for his character, testimony, and talent.
This morning, I've been watching the sports channels, reading blogs, seeing the posts on various news sites and wondering how professional athletes making millions of dollars can blame the replacement referees for their failure to win a ball game. I have been a player, coach and umpire. I've been on both sides of the calls and admit to making both good and bad ones. In all cases, I have coached my teams and taught my children that the referee never wins or loses the ball game. If a team outplays and out scores the other team, then they will beat their opponent.
Today, fans and players have forgotten that there is a total of 60 minutes in a football game. They have forgotten that Aaron Rodgers was sacked 8 times in one half. They forgot that he slipped and fell with no one around him. They forgot that the league MVP threw no TD passes in 60 minutes and only averaged 4.7 yards passing. They forgot that the Packers only had a total of 84 yards rushing. The Packers didn't look very good last night and their offensive line was getting blown off the ball by the Seahawks' defense.
In "conveniently" forgetting their failures and focusing only on the failures of others (in this case the referee's), the Packers are a great illustration of the condition of our society. There is a mentality that refuses to admit personal failure and accept personal responsibility. Whether an athletic loss, job loss, a divorce, a bankruptcy, an auto accident, a bad test grade, or any other myriad of failures --- it is always the other person's fault -- it is never our fault.
Could this mindset be one of the reasons that it is so difficult for people to see their need for a Savior? Could this mentality be robbing us of the common sense needed to admit when we are wrong, to confess our faults, and to ask for forgiveness? Could this be a contributing factor for church splits and the refusal to reconcile relationships with other believers? Could this all stem from the basic sin of PRIDE?
The bottom-line is that referees (regular or replacements) will make mistakes, players will make mistakes, and people will make mistakes. I challenge you to admit your personal failures, to learn from them, and to correct them. I also remind you that God loves us in spite of our failures -- He loved us "while we were still sinners." In addition, remember 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Thank you, Lord, for giving us second chances!
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