The first prediction for the World Cup 2010

At the opening for sports event of world impact as the World Cup South Africa 2010 is, we can surely make a few observations:
 
First: The entire world will be observing closely for the next 30 days, the duration of the games. The majority on TV and the more fortunate live.
 
Second: There are sure to be many lunches, bar-b-q’s, and other gatherings will be organized around some of the more important games.  More than one will ask for some time off at work to watch their favorite team. Others will not attend worship service on Sunday; if there team is playing, while some will camp out in their living rooms to watch all the games.
 
Goals, and special plays will be celebrated with shouts, jumping and hugs. And if we want to talk money, we can be certain that many dollars will be invested or better said, wasted on the purchase of alcohol or 52” TV’s, to try and make the experience unforgettable. To sum things up the main attention of many will be on the games, it’s results, incidents, and the emotions will increase as the grand finally gets closer.
 
Before this reality and passion demonstrated for the sport we must ask ourselves a question, if a man is capable of putting in so much love and devotion for a sport, adjust so many things and make many sacrifices to be in front of a screen and devote his entire self to this passion, How much devotion, commitment, and passion does God expect from his children towards Him? If people can give so much dedication and place their emotions to the disposition of something so irrelevant as a sport and an event that only last 30 days and has absolutely no impact on their personal life, how can we justify such an unsteady surrender and irregular devotion to God, understanding the impact it has on our lives?
 
It should be enough to eco the response our Lord Jesus gave in Mark 12:30 when he said: “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, your entire mind and all your strength.” In other words, Christ wants all or nothing.  The world cup should be a thermometer for many of us to measure if our passion for God exceeds our passion that the world has for its own delights. You’re the commentator. Turn on the TV.