Lessons from FIFA fans
Surprise and delight.
Amazement and wonder.
These are the common emotions behind so many Instagram posts from FIFA fans about the USA. Over and over visitors from around the world express surprise at their experience here. “Don’t believe the media,” they say. “America is amazing!”
They describe the stadiums as unreal, as the best they’ve ever seen, surpassing the premier ones in Europe (and even high school stadiums astonish them.) They say our national parks are stunning, unbelievable, and leave them in tears over their beauty.
Things I don’t give a second thought about can make these fans giddy: “Look—yellow school buses, just like in the movies!” Air conditioning is a welcome relief. They stand and stare in large stores at the wide variety of products.
And then there’s the food— BBQ, brisket, burgers, big portions, and of course, ranch dressing. (Which someone is going to make a killing on importing to Europe now that they’ve discovered it!) Free refills on soft drinks is a jaw-dropping discovery.
Most of all, they love the people and how super friendly and supportive everyone is. They’ve learned we smile at and chat with strangers during everyday encounters. Thousands of travelers find Americans being kind and helpful and generous. This is a consistent theme from fans in cities and towns all across the country.
The stories are humorous, heartfelt, and heartwarming.
As a US citizen (who thinks America is pretty awesome) I am grateful and overjoyed to see so many first-time visitors exploring and experiencing our country as wonderful. Watching their joy makes me realize how weary I’ve grown of all the negative press and critical social media.
The constant focus on our problems has eroded my own experience of everyday life here and shifted my perspective. Hearing all the positives makes me smile and remember just how good we have it.
And it got me thinking,
are there ways in which my spiritual perspective has been skewed?
Have I gazed at my problems or pain so long I’ve stopped seeing the goodness and generosity of God?
Have I gotten so busy that I’m numb to the blessings and beauty around me?
Do I dwell too long on my difficulties and dull my capacity for delight?
Have I focused on my fears and anxieties and forgotten the Father’s great love for me?
Or have I started taking Jesus for granted or stopped paying attention to Him? Stopped inviting Him into my everyday life, and talking with Him about everything and anything?
Am I no longer amazed at how amazing Jesus is?
I want to remember all that’s wonderful about Jesus and start sounding like a visiting FIFA fan discovering America for the first time.
Because He’s even better than the movies! And He’s nothing like the bad press He so often gets. Jesus is brilliant and creative and kind and powerful and funny and trustworthy and surprising. And the more I get to know Him, the more I love Him and the more there is to discover.
How about you?
Has your perspective been shifted lately?
Are there blessings in your life you’ve stopped noticing or appreciating?
When was the last time you were surprised and delighted by God?
