Fan - an ardent devotee, an enthusiast.
Fanatic - A person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause.
I arrived home last night, after teaching for an hour in our mid-week tune-up, in time to watch the LAA beat up on the CWS. I‚Äôm sure my friend Steve is glowing red today with Angel’s pride. I am a fan of baseball. I am not a fanatic. As you can see by the definitions there is a difference.
The difference between “fan” and “fanatic” is evident based on your reaction to Major League Baseball‚Äôs new slogan: ‚ÄúI live for this game.‚Äù
Don’t misunderstand me, I am a baseball fan. I had so much fun playing baseball as a child. I enjoyed every minute of following the Cincinnati Reds until she-who-must-not-be-named purchased the team. Right above and slightly to the left of my computer monitor, as these words are typed, hang photos of Johnny Bench, Tony P?©rez, Joe Morgan, and Pete Rose. I knew Beth was the right woman when she had her own copy of Field of Dreams. We have some thrilling whiffle ball games in our backyard complete with our own version of the green monster. So, yes, I am a baseball fan. I am not a baseball fanatic.
I enjoy the game but I certainly do not live for the game. I probably would not have paid much attention to that sign (displayed right behind the batter) had it not been for the fact that we’ve spent the last several weeks in our mid-week tune-up talking about discipleship, commitment, and becoming a true follower of Jesus Christ.
Here are some observations George Barna makes regarding discipleship:
The true disciple of Jesus Christ is someone who is completely sold out to Christianity. To determine whether you really are a disciple, the relevant question concerns your level of commitment. To what are you absolutely, fanatically devoted? Jesus did not minister, die, and rise from the dead merely to enlist fans. He gave everything He had to create a community of uncompromising zealots – raving unequivocal, undeterable, no-holds-barred spiritual revolutionaries. He wants people who are dedicated to getting beyond the offer of mere salvation to those who are willing to do what it takes to complete a personal transformation. Discipleship is a lifelong calling that demands every resource we will ever muster. Discipleship is about passion to reach our full potential in Jesus Christ.
I’m not picking on MLB, at least they are honest about their expected devotion. We “live” for so many other things in this world that entertain and amuse but are lacking in the substance of eternity. It wouldn’t hurt to have that same expectation clearly stated of those who would follow Christ.
Right now I’m thinking we have the wrong signs hanging in many of our churches. Perhaps we should have some signs outside and inside our buildings which proclaim: “I live for this Christ.” Better yet we could just start by living for Christ and see if anyone else notices. I am not a fan of Christ. I’m learning to be a fanatic.
