Act of God
It is THE Superbowl weekend, here in Dallas, Texas and I feel bad. I'm not sick, but like most North Texans I am, as the saying goes, "under the weather."
We seldom see ice and snow in the winter where I live, so when it does come the city virtually shuts down. All the major school districts have been closed an unprecedented four consecutive days. Television channels are broadcasting continuous weather coverage and traffic reports. News anchors are encouraging people "if you don't HAVE to go out, stay home and stay warm."
I know it's not as bad in Dallas as the scenes from Chicago's Lake Shore Drive, where cars were buried in snow drifts. My friends in Montana laughed when I told them it was 18• here. "It's -18, where we are." What makes the situation and me feel bad is, IT'S SUPERBOWL WEEKEND!
My apartment faces the busy north-south highway that runs through downtown Dallas. Normally, the traffic noise is a steady hum outside my window. The first few weeks after I moved in, I had to look outside to check and see if it was rain that I was hearing - the noise was so consistent and constant. This morning there was complete silence. I opened the front door and the quiet stillness coupled with the falling snow made me gasp. Not one car or truck on the freeway, and a white blanket covering the parking lot. Act of God indeed!
The new Dallas Cowboy Stadium holds close to 100,000 people. It is a sell out crowd this weekend. That means there will 100,000 fans, plus news casters, radio personalities, and celebrities trying to make it to THE game in THIS mess!
Both teams playing on Sunday are from cities where weather like this is common winter fare. I am sure they find our histrionics amusing. The "fans" are scheduled to begin arriving en mass today, but our airports have been experiencing severe delays and hundreds of flight cancellations. The fans are sure to arrive, just as the stadium is sure to be packed to capacity this Sunday. After all, it is the Superbowl, act of God aside.
I am not a fan of either team, and I am no fan of ice and snow. I have watched (continuous coverage) the traffic and seen countless vehicles in ditches. I murmur, "Are people crazy? Don't they know to stay home!" But this is an event, there are parties to attend, places to go, people to see. The world will be watching, and I am sure the "act of God" will be mentioned in every broadcast.
I've thought about this (sequestered in my warm abode the past four days) and wondered about fan loyalty. Rain or shine, ice or snow, if you bought a ticket to the Superbowl (lowest price $450 a "nose bleed seat") you are going to be there.
"For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life."
Act of God
The command of the Great Commission to "GO" is more than a free ticket to the Superbowl. We have to be willing, whatever the circumstances, to share THE "act of God." Too many of us stay warm and comfortable in our pews, looking on the lost as crazy; they should know better!
But they don't.
"But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell then, unless someone is sent to do it?" Romans 10:14 The Message
Thankful you have helped send me!
Counting down to the big event,
Maranatha
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