Standing among thousands of people in Queen St soon after the All Blacks victory on Sunday night was a powerful experience. Everyone was celebrating (minus a few French supporters) in good spirits the success of the All Blacks. I have never been among that many people all celebrating the same cause.
It got me thinking. What would it look like if NZ was as into Jesus as they were into rugby? What would it look like for Queen street to be overflowing with people shouting out "Jesus" rather than "All Blacks".
Would NZ society look different? You would hope so! But in what ways?
I personally have never shouted and screamed as much as I did during the final match. To the point where I was told to be quiet! Have I ever been told to be quiet because of my excitement for Jesus?
I am not trying to get pedantic about these little points, but it is interesting to think about.
I recall hearing a sermon where the speaker challenged us about our excitment for sport. He was not against it at all, I believe he too was a sports fan. But he challenged the excitement we got while watching a rugby match on a saturday in comparison to us then quietly standing in the pews while worshiping God the next day at church. That is something that has really stuck with me.
What a revival NZ would have to go through for there to be as much excitment for Jesus as there is for rugby. It scares me when I hear statistics about the decline of Christianity in NZ. Only recently I read that if Christianity keeps on declining at the rate it is, in 30 years time there will be no Christianity in NZ. What would that look like?
I love rugby, I really do. I also love Jesus and I want this to be more evident than anything else in my life.
These are just some thoughts that I have been wrestling with these past few days. Feel free to post comments - I would love to hear your thoughts on this!
6 comments:
It's funny I was thinking the very same thing when I was running on the Streets with friends.... holding a NZ flag and yelling, "WHOOP! WHOOP! GO ALL BLACKS!" I guess its socially acceptable to do that and was even encouraged to do so....
When I feel the same excitement about God I find I am restraining myself from really celebrating...
Nat.
Hi,
We were at Cook's Warf on Sunday afternoon - midnight and didn't see you among the 15,000 there. Question: What if NZ got as excited about Waitangi Day as it did for the All Blacks? I think we would be a lot more united and therefor have a better fututre. What do you think?
I am suprised I didnt see you either! Haha well some of the information I have learnt about Waitangi in the past year is not all pleasant. So I am not sure about getting excited about Waitiangi. I agree it would be great if we could have a national day that we can all proudly stand united as one nation though! That would be great!
And Nat I agree with you, I too find myself restraining from truly celebrating God.
Cil sweet to read a few blogs here! I love reading what you're thinking about! I had similar thoughts watching the final out at camp. What was exciting was the number of teens that responded over the weekend! First time and a bunch of re-commitments too. GOd is good!
Yes Priscilla, I have had similar ponderings. In the end though I have concluded that God is in control, and as much as I would love to see revival in the hearts of our nation, I wonder if the current church would cope with it....are we inclusive? How do we shepherd a crowd of people to whom the Word of God is unfamiliar? If God desires a revival I trust him for the timing despite my impatience, for only then will it be likely to be deep rooted and with a good foundation. So in the meantime I can pray. Time will tell, one thing is for certain though the journey is never boring.
Well Cilla. This sure is a subject Ive been wrestling with myself personally lately!! Wheres the same enthusiasm for God??I was horrified and yet not surprised to hear on a radio station one day the comment being made "rugby is NZs top religion!" OUCH!! It feels soo true and yet the challenge is how much is my life being available to God and contributing to progressing people towards Him?? ENTHUSIASTICALLY??!! The challenge is on.... :)
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