Super Bowl Fever

It has been quite a football season. For the first time in the organization's history, the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl. Although we are Steelers fans in our house, we caught the Eagles fever along with all of the other Philadelphia and South Jersey fans. As the Eagles powered their way through the season, right up to the Super Bowl, I started to notice something really great. People from all walks of life, backgrounds, status, all joined in unity because of their love for their home team. The fact that the Eagles were considered to be the underdog this year really added to the excitement.

It was truly remarkable to see so many people who may never have had anything in common high five one another, shake hands with one another and even hug one another. I witnessed people coming together in prayer for the Eagles. Now, I realize that some people may find this to be a frivolous thing about which to pray, but I do not. I believe that God cares about what we care about, the big things and even the little things. God wants unity among His children and I truly believe that if it takes a sports team to bring His people together, than so be it!

So, I started thinking about this feeling of unity and brotherly (and sisterly) love that resulted from supporting our Eagles. Suddenly, whatever differences people may have had, no longer mattered. People focused only on the main thing that drew us together. The spirit of comradery and fellowship made people forget about that which divides and they focused on the united desire to see the Eagles victorious. If I can name one positive thing that sports brings, I would have to say that spirit of unity in a common goal.

So I asked myself, why does it take a game for people to let go of prejudices and animosity? Can't we as a people focus on that which unites us all the time? There will always be differences among people and that does not have to be a bad thing. It certainly does not have to make one person hate another. Instead of focusing on that which makes us different, why can't we make an effort to look for the things with which we have in common? If we would all learn to do that, I believe there would be much better communication, less strife in the world, and more meaningful relationships to be had.

So, I pose this challenge. In the spirit of comradery and sportsmanship, I challenge all of us to keep the Super Bowl fever going. Let's continue to enjoy our shared passions and allow our differences to fade into the backgrounds of our daily lives. Translate this fever to other aspects of your lives. When you encounter someone whom you would have normally ignored, because you assumed that person was too different from yourself, try striking up a conversation. See what commonalities you may have with that person. I would bet there are at least a few. Folks, the only way we can begin to heal the rift between people is to stop hating because of differences. Let us try to find our shared values and focus on those. So much more can be accomplished that way. The world would be a better, more peaceful place that way. I know this may sound simple and trite, but, sometimes, things really are simpler than we make them out to be. So catch the Super Bowl fever! God bless!