“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” — Matthew 25:35
>> Sign up here for Sports Spectrum devotionals sent right to your email inbox <<
I knew what we were signing up for. Sort of.
A buddy of mine, who’s a regular in the Nashville SC supporter’s section, invited a friend and me to join him for a game. It was our first time at a professional soccer match, so he told us to get there early for the march to the stadium, and to be ready to chant and lose our voices. I figured it would be fun, maybe a little chaotic, but mostly just a cool change of pace from a typical game-day experience.
What I didn’t expect was to be handed a massive banner and asked to be one of the people carrying it in the march to the stadium. I didn’t expect the sky to open up halfway through and drench us in a downpour. And I definitely didn’t expect to feel something holy in the middle of it all — amid the drums, the soaked sneakers, the shouting, and the smoke.
We walked together through a field and up the steps like a small army, waving flags and belting out chants. By the time we got to the stadium, I was dripping wet, my voice was a little hoarse, but the energy was electric.
The noise, the sweat, the rain, the unity of it all. It was loud and kind of ridiculous, yet in a way it was maybe one of the clearest pictures I’ve had in a while of what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself. To our right was a strong contingent of Hispanic fans. Behind us was a gentleman from Wales. Young and old. Male and female. All joined together to shout chants and songs in English and Spanish. All wearing gold and blue.
At the risk of being a little corny, it made me think of church.
Not the neat rows and the bulletins and the half-hearted small talk in the lobby. But the actual Church. The movement. The family. The people willing to show up in the rain and carry the banner and sing even when they’re tired or off-key. People from different walks of life and nationalities joining together for a common cause.
Too often, I treat faith like I thought I’d treat that game: something to observe, enjoy and walk away from. But life with Jesus isn’t a spectator sport. It’s not safe or predictable or dry. It’s more like the supporter’s section: loud, messy and alive.
That night, my friends and I didn’t earn our spot in the march. We didn’t know the chants. We didn’t bring the banner. But they let us in anyway. They handed us food and drinks when we arrived, then gave us something to carry. They made space for us. They welcomed my friend and me as if we were part of the regular crew.
Whether they knew it or not, they were living out the calling in Matthew 25:35 (above).
Isn’t that what we hope the Church looks like?
Jesus invites us in when we’re unprepared. He gives us a place before we prove anything. He lets us carry things we didn’t build. And He calls us not just to believe, but to belong. To join the march, to sing the song, to carry the weight with others.
The game ended with a Nashville SC win, and yeah, that part was awesome. But that wasn’t the best part. The joy was in the walk, the rain, the banner, the strangers-turned-teammates who brought us in and made us feel part of their community.
— Cole Claybourn
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him <<
>> Dive more into God’s Word with Sports Spectrum through the YouVersion Bible App <<
If you would like to submit a devotional, please email all submissions to
devotionals@sportsspectrum.com
