The global community of sports fans have their eyes fixed on North America these days as we host the grandest sporting event of all, the World Cup.  Among the 48 national soccer teams vying for the championship in this five-week tournament is Team USA (and they will advance to the round of 32).  The final game is set for July 19.

It only takes a glance at television coverage to see how the World Cup has captivated billions of sports fans all around the globe.  The one million-plus travelers who are actually journeying to North America to attend a game are a tiny fraction of those who love their teams and yet must follow at a distance.  Team USA faces Türkiye tonight (I’m writing this on Thursday)—should be exciting!

But soccer isn’t the only game in town.  Tennis fans are gearing up for Wimbledon to begin on Monday.  And the MLB All-Star Game is coming to Philly on July 14.  (Speaking of baseball, how about Schwarber’s three home-runs (two of which came in a single inning!) plus Harper’s cycle in the June 20 game—not to mention an eight-run come-from-behind rally by the Phillies with two out in the ninth inning to defeat the Nationals on June 23.  Fun stuff.) 

I could go on and on—sports can grab your attention that way (or at least my attention!).  But followers of Jesus need to be careful.  Jonny Reid has written a very helpful article for the Gospel Coalition, “Enjoy the World Cup—but Don’t Be Shaped by It.”  

He warns that sports can turn into worship when:  it controls our emotions, reshapes our priorities, and changes how we speak.   And he advises fans about “what might healthy enjoyment of the World Cup looks like for a Christian”:  when we enjoy sports gratefully (seeing it as a faint glimmer of heaven), enjoy sports in proportion (it’s a great hobby but a lousy god), and when we speak differently:  Since believers have a new identity in Jesus, we’re called to speak “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).