Excitement is Infectious

Tonight was the epic battle of the San Diego Padres, and the Colorado Rockies. This game was classic and nail biting up to the last play. Nothing was taken for granted, but at any moment, the tides could shift and either team would be sent to the play offs. Here's the deal, I hate baseball. The American pastime is about a much fun and entertaining to me as watching grass grow. Nothing about the sport keeps my interest, focus' my attention, or captures my mind. I literally feel bored watching that sport. People always say, " You just need to go to a game, and you will understand." They are wrong. I grew up in Omaha, NE, the home of the College World Series. I have attended at least 10 games in my life and lost all interest by the bottom of the third. I've gone to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs play. I've seen fans get bent out of shape and threatening umpires, but still nothing captivated me. Until Tonight.

I still don't like the game but tonight was fun. I was training behind the bar at Red Robin and getting ready to close down, when about 30 minutes before the doors locked, a group of about 15 people demanded drinks, the volume on the TV's turned up and the place silent to watch the ending of this memorable classic. Their excitement made me excited. Why? I still don't like the game, and I didn't ever get into the games when I was at the field, so why now? Maybe it was the yelling. Maybe it was the cursing at the bogus call for a double, rather than a home run. I honestly don't know. But their excitement was contagious; an infection that overcame me. I found myself cheering for the Rockies - a team I didn't really know existed until I moved to Colorado. I was pouring beers, making drinks, and watching the game all at the same time. Ask my wife, I can't do three things at once - it was amazing.


The game finally ended in the 13th inning, from a classic comeback from the Rockies being down by 2 and then winning the game. Even better considering the winning runner didn't even touch home, but the ump "missed" that. The restaurant exploded. Guests celebratorily (a new word I created) chugged the remaining of the beer in their glasses and left. I found myself talking about the game to my co-workers and discussing classic plays. What had happened to me? I was a fan - this was a weird sensation.


It got me thinking. How is it people can get so excited for a sporting team, with player's whom they have never met? The language that was flowing from the mouths of these fans in Red Robin was colorful to say the least. What would cause them to be so passionate?

We have the awesome opportunity to meet with the Creator of the Universe on a daily basis. We don't have to wait in line to get an autograph, or pay extra money to get a picture with the "stars." We can call on Him at any point in our day and He is at our doorstep, just waiting to help us. And if I was able to become excited, if even for a few minutes about a baseball team because of some crazy passionate people, then how can I "infect" those around me when I am passionate about my Lord? I know this is the classic lame post about making a comparison between something innocent and fun, to guilt tripping others to live more Christ-like. But honestly, is there any way my excitement for my Jesus infects others? Do people get excited about the God of the universe by hanging around me? I fear not. Are people supposed to, or is that something Pastor's like to say?

I really don't know what my point is. Maybe it is simply than I wish I had more of an impact on those around me simply by the way I live. I can't help but wonder if I am doing everything I can to promote the life and death of Jesus, rather than just letting life pass me by.