OUTDOOR TRUTHS: FIFA love
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I am a sports fan. I don’t watch much television, but when I do, it’s normally around some sporting event. During the past few weeks, it’s been golf majors and some WNBA. And then there’s also the largest sporting event in the world. The FIFA World Cup. International football. Or what Americans call soccer. And while I’m not a big soccer fan, I have found myself following this tournament, mainly because this year’s event is in the United States. This tournament only happens every four years, and this year’s event will include 48 teams from all over the world. Over one billion people will be watching, worldwide. At this writing, America has made it to the round of 16. Go USA! What has gripped me more than anything else, however, is how all our foreign guests keep going on with the hospitality of our people. Whether they are talking about the people in Dallas, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, or the 12 other host cities, the common theme is that they could not believe how friendly, accommodating, and helpful Americans have been. They almost always follow those glowing comments by saying, “That’s not what our leaders and media led us to believe.” And many of these people described the U.S. as a more friendly and welcoming place than their own country. They felt what I believe most Americans do very naturally. Love other people. Now we may not call it love. But that is how our actions were interpreted. And because we did what comes naturally, our neighbors were drawn to us. Even the players from Iran, despite the tensions between our nations, left a handwritten note to the people of Los Angeles thanking the city for its hospitality and expressing a desire for peace and respect among nations. All of this has not only been amazing to me but has given me so much to think about. One thing I think about is that most of the common people in every country want to live in harmony with others. I think this is inherent because we are all made in the Image of God. Another thing worth remembering is that nearly all media are in the business for profit. And there is nothing wrong with profiting. But we all have to realize that our major news sources tend to report on what has the greatest potential to make them a profit. And then there are the governments – each one made up of people who are often driven by power and personal prosperity, unlike the Jills and Joes who live under their reign. But of all the images that came to mind, the most compelling was the one that led me to the words of Jesus. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” I can’t correct every false view of my faith that someone here or even in another country might promote. I can’t always explain my beliefs so that others can understand. I can’t always defend against those who use Christianity as a tool for power or prosperity. But I can, by my actions, love the people God chooses to bring into my life, whether they are with me for a lifetime or just a moment. And if I do that, perhaps they’ll leave saying that the ways of Jesus and His followers were not what they thought them to be. They’re better. Go USA!
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■ Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Stay updated on Outdoor Truths each week by subscribing at Outdoortruths.org.
