The
cover story for the Spring 2018 issue of Christianity
Today was entitled “When Church Gets Sidelined by Youth Sports.” The
feature article was asking the question, “What should pastors do when families
choose youth athletics over church services?” There were a number of church
leaders answering the question with all kinds of suggestions and offering
diverse opinions as to how culture has changed and how churches should respond.
In the article a survey of readers revealed that 86% of those surveyed
responded, “Yes,” to the question, “Has your church struggled with families
choosing sports over church?” The article indicates this is an issue for those
who are interested church services.
How
attitudes and perspectives have changed over the recent decades. It dawned on
me that many in our Christian culture would not understand or appreciate the
Academy Award winning historical drama film, “Chariots of Fire” released in
1981. Contemporary viewers possibly would consider one of the major characters,
Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian, as an out of touch relic of a bygone
era. His conviction of honoring the Christian Sabbath by allowing it to be
fully focused on the Lord appears to many to be irrelevant to modern thought
and Christian mores. The movie depicts Liddell as refusing to run the 100
meters race in the 1924 Olympics because it was to be run on Sunday. He does
not cave to the strong pressure to abandon his convictions by the British
Olympic Committee and even the Prince of Wales. Instead he chooses to run
the 400
meter race held on another day. He chose to run a race that he was not expected
to win. Just before the 400 meters final he gets the following note from the
members of the British Olympic team, "It says in the good Book, 'He that
honors me, I will honor.' Good luck." The team did not look upon him with
distain or disgust, but with respect. Incidentally, he won the race! Others
observed that Liddell was committed to be guided by the words of Jesus, “Seek
first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).
Why do changes occur in a person’s or a
culture’s convictions? Certainly there are a host of reasons. One factor seems
to come to the forefront. What influence are we willing to operate under? In
the history of Israel there is a record of a king that had a collapse of
conviction when the influence he was under changed. King Joash, who ruled in
Judah for forty years (see 2 Chronicles 23-24), lived a paradoxical life. His
life began in a most dysfunctional time for the nation. He escaped being
slaughtered by an evil grandmother, Athaliah, by being raised in secret by a
priest named Jehoiada. Later Joash becomes king under the positive influence of
that priest that both protected and promoted him. The influence of this priest
yielded national reforms and spiritual revival. When this priest died, King
Joash came under the influence of leaders of Judah that did not have a heart
for the things of God (24:17-18). The reforms and the revival ceased and were
reversed as King Joash ignores the warnings of God. He even overlooks the way
God had blessed him under the influence of the godly priest, Jehoiada. In fact
the King was so impacted by evil influence, that he even put to death the son
of the very priest that had sacrificially spared and positively influenced him
(24:22). Coming under the wrong influences quickly changes one’s perspective
and practices.
Reflecting on the way changes can rapidly occur
in our convictions should give us reason to pause and evaluate. What are the
chief influences or influencers in our lives? Do they reflect what we believe
are the directions God would have us follow for our lives? Do we have the
courage of our God-given convictions to pursue a direction that may be
counter-cultural? Are we willing to sacrifice the approval of others while
pursuing the approval of God? How are we strengthening our spiritual stamina so
that when difficult decisions need to be made we are prepared to make them?
These are just a sampling of questions one might consider in such an
evaluation.
When Eric Liddell’s younger sister,
Jennie, quizzed him about his involvement in running, the movie records his
response. He wants to honor God with his running and says, "I believe that God made me for
a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure."
When we live to honor and love God first in our lives we are choosing to live
under His influence. Living under His influence is not a burden, it is a
blessing. Jesus told his disciples shortly before his crucifixion, “Abide in my
love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have
kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken
to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John
15:9-11). Let’s stay under the influence – the right influence!
