Chapter 3 - The Joy of Sports

I'm in the middle of a chapter-by-chapter review of Game Day for the Glory of God by Stephen Altrogge. The third chapter is really a response to the question, "Why is it that we feel such joy in sports?" Altrogge answers the question by pointing out four reasons:

1. The Joy of Excellence
"Doing things excellently is a reflection of God, who does all things with excellence. The same is true in watching sports. When we see an athlete perform exceptionally well, we're seeing a small portion of God's character." (pg. 37)

2. The Joy of Victory
"Victory in sports is a faint reflection of our victorious God. He's created us to love victory. No one enjoys losing. Part of the reason we have such a passion for victory is that it allows us to catch a faint glimpse of God's glory. Granted, our motives for wanting victory are often smeared with pride and arrogance. But victory in and of itself can be something very good." (pg. 40)

3. The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness
"Self-centeredness only leads to unhappiness and misery. Sports are gifts from God that allow us to temporarily forget about self." (pg. 42)

4. The Joy of Character
In this section Altrogge highlights three character qualities that can and should be developed through sports: leadership, perseverance, and endurance.

The closing statement of this chapter is top shelf. "Let us recognize that sports are indeed gifts from a generous God to undeserving sinners, and let our enjoyment of sports be marked by thankful hearts. In this way we will enjoy sports for the glory of God."