We all have a Super Bowl

1 Corinthians 10:14 (ESV)

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

When the NFL season begins, most teams have their sights set on winning the Super Bowl. Coaches motivate their players to work hard, so they can accomplish the major feat of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Players are judged differently after they win a ring, and the value placed on championships is immense. There are plenty of players preparing to step on the field tonight who have yet to experience the excitement of winning on the largest stage.

These guys have been dreaming about this moment since playing Pop Warner as kids. When listening to them talk about the Super Bowl, they obviously want to win so bad. They realize the monumental impact it would have on their lives, and are consumed with doing what it takes to become Super Bowl Champions.

Of course, this requires enormous dedication with countless hours in the film room and on the practice field. Little else matters and they don’t want anything getting in the way of the opportunity to grasp that coveted trophy.

The sports world, and even society, have elevated the Super Bowl to unbelievable heights. The standard of success in winning the Lombardi Trophy is so important that it has become an idol for those involved. It’s worshipped in a way that requires a full commitment from those pursuing it.

As easy as it is for an NFL player to get wrapped up in desiring a Super Bowl ring, we must also be aware of the “shiny objects” in life that are fighting for our full attention.

If we aren’t careful, we can fall into the trap of idolizing anything from a dream home to a new car to moving up the corporate ladder. All of our thoughts, conversations, and efforts go toward what we desire so much. That could even be getting married, having a baby, or making it to retirement.

Just like the Super Bowl, these things aren’t bad. But when they become our idols and our total focus, they replace God as our greatest love and devotion. We’re chasing satisfaction in something else.

If we’re consumed by acquiring that “one thing,” or excessively driven to making something happen in our lives, we can end up devaluing our relationship with God.

Our own “Super Bowl win” becomes the ultimate prize, while our worship and commitment to God gets pushed aside.

The Bible clearly addresses this in 1 Corinthians 10:14 (AMP):“Therefore, my beloved, run [keep far, far away] from [any sort of] idolatry [and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul].”

We can love God and follow Jesus and still “win Super Bowls.” But, we must constantly check our hearts to determine our motivation and what we consider most important.

Dear Lord, we confess there are times that we want something so badly that it consumes all of my thoughts and efforts, and as a result, we are not focused on You. We don’t want to love anything more than You or allow anything to become more important than a full commitment to You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.