A lot of Americans are excited about the start of the NFL football season. So excited, in fact, that some are even watching their teams play preseason games—which has been difficult for me. Until today, I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch more than five minutes of preseason football for the following reasons:
– The games don’t matter. They might as well not keep score.
– The stars and starters only play a few minutes, then the rest of guys compete fiercely to make the team.
– The games don’t air at typical times or on the usual channels, so it can be a challenge to find them.
That said, I’m frantically searching for a game right now because I suddenly care. I care because my friend, who I’ve known his whole life, is playing tonight. He happens to be playing for my favorite team—the Seattle Seahawks. He’s one of those guys competing fiercely, hoping to make the final roster. I hope he does. Either way, I want to see him get some reps in a Seahawks jersey and live his childhood dream. So, I watch… I’m watching preseason football that, if it weren’t for him, would not matter to me.
The point is: it always matters to someone. If we can get outside our own myopic, self-centered view of life, we might see that we’re all connected. And when we care, everything and anything matters.
Try something you don’t like because she does. Watch something you’d rather not because they’re interested. Look deeper into the event and find the human connection—the significance that makes the thing matter that otherwise wouldn’t.
Life is about connection—our connection to God, and each other. Connect, care and do something you otherwise wouldn’t do…because they matter.