by Rob Globke

Playoffs start tonight!! This, of course, is great news because everyone knows hockey playoff action is some of the best stuff to watch in all the world (no, we are not biased). It’s fast. It’s exciting. In many ways, it’s what hockey should be played like all the time. There is no problem enjoying this time of year for the hockey fan.

HOWEVER

As christians who are called to be “set apart” from the world (1 Peter 2:9), we would do well to remember hockey’s place in our life. Below are five verses to keep in mind as the playoffs get started.



Exodus 20:3
“You must not have any other god but me.”

This one is somewhat self explanatory….I hope. There is room for only one God in the seat of your heart. Playoff hockey is often times a good test to where you put your priority, your trust, and your worship. Be careful to not let the wrong god take over your devotion.


Colossians 3:8
“But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.”

Nobody likes losing. The players surely don’t like it, nor do the fans. When we see our team who we thought might make a run get bounced early in the playoffs, it causes a little anger to burn. We get mad at the coach, at a certain player, at our friends who root for a rival. Our anger causes us to do crazy things. The question we must ask ourselves, “Am I getting so angry over a playoff loss that it’s impacting how I interact with those around me?” Let’s put away all anger, rage, malice, and dirty language over the next few months...and beyond. :-)


Ephesians 5:15-16
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”

There are only 24 hours in each day, and 168 in each week. While it’s nice to be able to watch the games when we can, it’s dangerous when it consumes our time. There are so many good things we can be doing with our time. Don’t cash it all in at the altar of CBC or NBC because you “have” to watch a certain game. Ask yourself if you are consistently putting off or rearranging important things in your life to make time for watching games. Then, ask yourself if you’re making the most of every opportunity you have as a result of this.



Psalm 147:10-11
“He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse
     or in human might.
No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him,
     those who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

Fill in the blank: “I want to be like ___________.” When watching playoff hockey we can so easily be found awestruck at some of the athletes who give their all night in and night out. It’s ok to be a fan. To have a favorite player. To watch the game and think…. “I wish I was that guy.” But, let’s not forget that we are not defined by how many goals we score, how strong we are, how far we make it in hockey. Our true identity is found in and through God Almighty, and He is not always looking for the same characteristics we think He is. Remember that you are valuable, no matter if you raise the cup or not.


1 Peter 1:24-25a
As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
    their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
     But the word of the Lord remains forever.”

Finally, let’s remind ourselves that at the end of the day, only one thing remains forever. It can be tempting to fall into the trap that your team winning the cup is the end all be all of life. Yet, 100 years from now, we all know deep down what will really matter. The glories of today pale in comparison to the glories that await us in Christ. Keep in mind that the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2016 will be forgotten. Keep in mind that the things that are seen will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Cor. 4:18)

Now, go and watch….just do it responsibly.

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