It dawned on me why so many people get so crazy into cheering for their heroes in sporting events.

They are our substitutes!

Case in point: Yesterday, our (The Hong’s) hero, Yuna Kim of South Korea skated so beautifully but ended up with a silver medal behind a Russian girl. We (both Janet and I) were so outraged that we didn’t watch the replay of the games at night time. Before then, we were devouring everything that had to do with the Olympics, but since we knew our champion lost (unfairly!), we had no desire to watch it. Watching it would only add to the agony of defeat (and injustice!).

But why do we so identify ourselves with these athletes and teams? (Remember the Superbowl just recently?) Why do we cheer them on like there is no tomorrow? And why are we so happy when they win and so glum when they lose?

Because they are our substitutes. They are doing only what we wish we could do. When they are on ice spinning so beautifully, we see ourselves on the ice, wishing we could do what they are doing. When they scramble and make a pass, we see ourselves doing the same. We identify ourselves in them. We are in a way living through them. And they are championing ourselves doing things only we wish we could do. They are representing us!!!

And what do we do when we are so inspired by our champions? We go out and try to emulate them! (I saw so many young men playing football on the fields the day after the Seahawks won the Superbowl)

But why? Why do we allow them to be our substitutes and representatives? We have no ties to them whatsoever! (Does Russell Wilson or Yuna Kim know that you exist?)

That’s how worship works. We are made for worship.

And Jesus Christ is our substitute. He is our representative. He is our Champion. He has won the victory for us on the arena of life!

He lived the life we always wished we could live, but couldn’t. How perfectly, lovingly, courageously, boldly, sacrificially, purely has He lived His life!

Cheering Him on and rejoicing in His victory is our Sunday worship!
Being inspired by Him and striving to emulate His life is the daily Christian life!

Watch Him play. Be inspired. Only then, try to emulate Him.

PH