08-11-2008
Spiritual Fitness Colossal Indulgence vs. Spiritual FreedomThere are many emotions that erupt walking through the historical streets of
Rome, but as I made this recent journey, perhaps none quite so gut wrenching for me as touring Vespasian Flavius’s famous Amphitheatre (known today as the Coliseum). This palatial structural, erected with tiered arches and once coated with Pentelic marble and imperial statues, is truly an archeological masterpiece. As I peered upward at the colossal landmark it was as if I could almost transcend time and hear the echoing chants of an overstuffed crowd impregnated with the unquenchable, gluttonous lust for food, drink, and vengeful bloodshed. I remember experiencing a similar sick feeling while touring a holocaust memorial. I just could not fathom such demonic disregard for the value of human life.
As we listened to our awesome tour guides ~ (1. shout out to the amazing professors Dr. John Norris and Dr. Brian Schmisek at the
School of
Ministry U.D.) expound upon the historic happenings in the coliseum, my heart sickened. They explained how the floor of the coliseum would have continuously been coated with sand, of course, how else would they soak up all the blood? The tragic history of martyrdoms, and murderous acts that took place in the arena coupled with the fact that the emperor gave the Roman people the stadium as a gift deemed for the sport of killing just seemed too barbaric to believe (couldn’t someone have suggested a symphony?). Still in utter disgust at how human beings could act so inhumanely, my thoughts turned to modern day practices and I grew increasingly disturbed as I couldn’t help but draw some uncomfortable parallels.
I don’t have to go far from my home town of
Las Vegas to confirm this revelation. Tickets are both expensive and hard to come by for those seeking various kinds of entertainment that includes hitting, punching, and tackling another person in the name of sport. An especially huge draw in this town is an event whereby the winner is determined by one opponent knocking the other one out; most often both athletes are bruised and bloodied (FYI~ kick-boxing a punching bag is not the same thing!). In addition, one of the most celebrated pastimes in America involves a crowd gathering at a coliseum (Hmm…ever thought where that name came from?) and cheering as men hit one another in competition for a ball; often times, excessive food and drink is part of the experience. The coliseum itself was built with slanted interior walls that became notorious as vomitoriums, thus when people had filled their stomach they could purge and start again. I currently live in the city that is known for its elaborate buffets, so many that they could probably feed a 3rd world country for a year with what they serve in one day. What might not be as commonly known is this same city happens to have one of the highest percentages of homeless and hungry people living in it. How is it possible that a city so oversaturated with food and excess could have so many starving people? Again, uncomfortable parallels. Although Russell Crowe and
Hollywood together managed to romanticize the Gladiatorial games, the reality is that two people entered the Coliseum and only one came out alive. You don’t have to live in the Vegas to know those are not good odds. I have heard the same uncomfortable analogous relationship made of two people entering an abortion clinic with the same result. Women attending the Roman games were perched at the top of the arena waiting to service yet another lustful indulgence in exchange for money. This is especially uncomfortable since the city I live in is notorious for pornography and prostitution readily available per request. What do all of the above have in common? All legally protected by their governing political systems. When it comes to animals, I can’t even watch Bambi without crying, thus I can’t fathom watching animals slaughtered for sport. Fortunately, in modern society, we don’t partake in such atrocious animal cruelty… Oh wait, that’s right~ lest we forget Michael Vick and the entourage of patrons like him who instigate such venomous displays of unbridled animalistic behavior. I don’t contest the innate sense of competition that seems part of the human condition, and I won’t deny my own willful desire not just to play, but to win. I confess that I do find pleasure annihilating
Dobie Moser on the tennis court or at the ping pong table and winning a bet against Mike Patin when the Cowboys beat the Saints. I enjoy nachos while cheering on the Texas Rangers, and I jump up and down and scream at the TV with the rest of my family when Tony Romo nails a pass in the end-zone. I am not dissing the obvious pleasures associated with sports. It seems almost spiritual to cheer for good over evil, the underdog to beat the odds, and there is no denying the elated high that ensues after a victory. Many of us got chills just watching the athletes process in during the opening ceremonies of the Olympics- colossal coolness! So how do we differentiate between celebrating skill and sportsmanship vs. desensitizing ourselves to violence? Television, movies, and video games are constantly exposing explicit graphic images of bloodshed. The growing number of drive by shootings, gang violence, and school massacres is evidence of its negative effect. And yet, in all of this bad news, there is Good News! We, in our human condition, have a unique power source unlike any other, something that separates us distinctly from impulsive animalistic behavior~ it helps us discern right from wrong, good vs. bad and sacred vs. sinful ~ it is the Holy Spirit!!! The Holy Spirit inspires gifted athletes to donate thousands of dollars for charitable purposes (2. Andre Agassi); those who advocate and raise money for diseases (3. Dan Marino-Autism); and create scholarships for young people (4. Tiger Woods); those who use their money for foundations that help others (5. Troy Aikman); Players who inspire us not only by their skilled careers but by their grace filled lives, and even deaths (6. Lou Gehrig); There are those who dedicate themselves to teaching others that everyone is a winner (7. Muhammad Ali - Special Olympics). The spirit is not isolated to sports but can be seen providing counsel for those who have suffered abortions (8. Rachel’s’ Vineyard); those who tirelessly fought for justice (9. Martin Luther King) and those who continuously worked for Peace (10. Gandhi). The Spirit helps us discern how to use the gifts we have been given for God. So even if we too erect statues of our own modern day heroes in coliseums (11. Nolan Ryan in
Arlington Stadium-also a generous donor and foundation head) similar to Roman times; We have the spiritual freedom to reject unhealthy excess and violent attacks on human life. We are free to embrace our love of the game while admiring God-given athleticism. Furthermore, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can celebrate treasured memories at the ball park ~ don’t forget the nachos! 1. http://www.udallas.edu/ministry/ ; http://www.udallas.edu/ministry/summerinstitute.cfm2. http://www.agassifoundation.org/3. http://www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org/4. http://www.danmarinofoundation.org/mari.html5. http://www.aikman.com/6. http://www.lougehrig.com/7. http://www.abilitymagazine.com/special_olympics.html8. http://www.rachelsvineyard.org/9. http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html10. http://www.kamat.com/mmgandhi/gandhi.htm11. http://www.nolanryanfoundation.org/
Posted by admin in Spiritual Fitness Colossal Indulgence vs. Spiritual Fre | RSS 2.0