This is what I shared with my youth group just before the halftime spectacle of Super Bowl 50.
Coldplay and friends will have 11 minutes to perform. Does that sound ridiculously short to you? It does to me. We have this big game that everyone wants to be a part of. The NFL teams work all year to make it to this point. Broadcasters and analysts desire to be a part of this game. Companies pay millions of dollars to show a 30 second commercial at this event. People plan ahead to be a part of a party to watch it all. And bands are honored to be selected as the half-time show.
11 minutes.
That’s all the time they have. No wonder too, because there are commercials to show, game analysis to talk about, interviews to be done, field prep and stage set-up….and don’t forget about that game needing to be played.
The planners of this game squeeze it all in because they want to grab our attention. The companies want us to notice and purchase their product. The band wants us to like and purchase their music. The analysts want us to esteem their opinion…to buy in to what they say. The NFL wants us to like their product (football) and purchase all that comes with it (clothing, tickets, accessories, etc.)
So they squeeze all they can into one unforgettable night. But don’t forget there is a God who is also vying for your attention. The NFL wants you to buy their stuff. But God wants you to know the purchase has already been made.
The Bible declares that “You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
I’m not saying we shouldn’t enjoy the show. Let’s just remember there are two forces at work here. One wants us to buy in. The other has already bought us. One paid with dollars and production time. But God paid with His only Son.
Coldplay and friends will have 11 minutes to perform. Does that sound ridiculously short to you? It does to me. We have this big game that everyone wants to be a part of. The NFL teams work all year to make it to this point. Broadcasters and analysts desire to be a part of this game. Companies pay millions of dollars to show a 30 second commercial at this event. People plan ahead to be a part of a party to watch it all. And bands are honored to be selected as the half-time show.
11 minutes.
That’s all the time they have. No wonder too, because there are commercials to show, game analysis to talk about, interviews to be done, field prep and stage set-up….and don’t forget about that game needing to be played.
The planners of this game squeeze it all in because they want to grab our attention. The companies want us to notice and purchase their product. The band wants us to like and purchase their music. The analysts want us to esteem their opinion…to buy in to what they say. The NFL wants us to like their product (football) and purchase all that comes with it (clothing, tickets, accessories, etc.)
So they squeeze all they can into one unforgettable night. But don’t forget there is a God who is also vying for your attention. The NFL wants you to buy their stuff. But God wants you to know the purchase has already been made.
The Bible declares that “You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
I’m not saying we shouldn’t enjoy the show. Let’s just remember there are two forces at work here. One wants us to buy in. The other has already bought us. One paid with dollars and production time. But God paid with His only Son.
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