Don’t Waste Your Sports – the Boston Marathon Bombings

Yesterday was a horrific day in Boston, Massachusetts. Tens of thousands of runners woke up yesterday, put on their running shoes and prepared themselves for a marathon without thinking their lives would be in danger.

There are always risks when you run a race – dehydration, cramping, etc. – but the one that never crosses your mind is death. No one thinks to themselves, “Well, I hope I can accomplish two things today: (1) finish the race and (2) not die.” Unfortunately, any runners and other athletes may begin to wonder next time they compete in a sporting evening, “Am I safe?”

So far, three lives have been claimed from the bombing yesterday at the Boston Marathon. Dozens of others have been hurt and hospitalized. Some have endured amputations and others are still in critical condition.

The bombings went off at a time when the bulk of people were finishing the race. They went off not too long after a Boston Red Sox game had finished and baseball fans were making their way down to watch the conclusion of this race. The bombings were set to explode to orchestrate the worst damage and inflict the most pain.

What we saw yesterday in Boston is an example of the worst and best of humanity.

The best of humanity was shown in the countless people who raced to the scene to assist the injured. I have read and heard of many accounts of people removing their shirts or belts or other items of clothing to cover up blood or help stabilize the wounded. It is always a comfort to see people in our society who demonstrate a willingness to put their own needs or comforts aside to help another – to lay their life down for someone else. That’s as Christ-like as it gets.

But unfortunately, the worst of humanity was also shown in the cowardice of those who planned to break the 6^th commandment. This person or people sought to play God and take life as if it was their right to do so. They “stole” the authority not given them to take people from this world. It is the worst of evil to pretend to be God.

So, with the events of yesterday, we have the worst and best – not only of humanity – but in the supernatural world. We see some acting like Jesus and we have others acting like Satan.

Events like this always reveal character, don’t they? When a tragedy strikes an unsuspecting community or family, people’s relationship before God is always revealed. People’s priorities are revealed. People’s convictions and thoughts are exposed and their true nature is demonstrated.

Don’t waste your life by living it for yourself. Don’t waste any more minutes today living in self-righteousness or dwelling upon your own wants and preferences. Don’t waste any more days building your schedule around your own ego.

Life is not meant to be lived for ourselves but everyone else (Phil 2:3-4).

If you live for self and always live for self, you will live like Satan and will presume to be God. You might even commit a heinous terrorist attack.

If you live for God and others, when you see a building on fire or a bomb go off, you will rush to the scene risking your own life or well-being to save another.

Choose this day whom you will serve.