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.
6 Responses to “I Live For This”
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June 2nd, 2005 at 11:32 am
Cool post…
Love you guys.
June 2nd, 2005 at 12:58 pm
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June 2nd, 2005 at 1:17 pm
Randy: This comment has nothing to do with your blog … but we are both “fanatics” of donuts. Particularly Krispy Kreme donuts. Since you wrote about opening day for hurricane season, you might want to know (if you don’t already) that tomorrow, June 3, is NATIONAL DONUT DAY! Krispy Kreme is giving everyone a free donut of their choice. You know mine, the chocolate covered, creme filled morsel of heaven on earth.
Now that’s something worth honoring.
June 2nd, 2005 at 4:52 pm
First of all, and let me be very clear about this, I am OUT OF SCHOOL!
Secondly, the Angels rock.
Thirdly, I did not know you were a fan of the Big Red Machine. My friend, Kevin, will be at Fenway in a week or so when they play the Reds, the first time these two teams have played each other since the Series in which Fisk hit THE homer.
Finally, wouldn’t it be nice if we put our passion into Christ the way we do other things? It would be nice if everyone knew to WHOM we belong, rather than just which teams we support. Great thoughts, brother.
June 3rd, 2005 at 10:00 am
Yes, great thoughts save one.
Field of Dreams? Ugh.
Oh, well. When I tell people that I thought The Truman Show was the movie of the year (1998), they just look at me like I’ve had a lobotomy. After all, how could I possibly think that movie was better than Saving Private Ryan?
Which is not at all where you were heading with this posting. So, here goes.
I spent my formative years (age 14-17) in a church that was all about the zeal, baby. Zeal is fine. What I noticed that I needed was help with commitment. Hey, I’m a guy.
That church was a body of believers sown on thorny ground. When excitement died down and when problems came up, members ducked out. Partly as a result of that, I took a hiatus. I know now, but did not realize at the time, that I was looking for sobriety and perseverance in my relationship with God.
To continue with being a wet blanket, I would include a note of caution about wanting to be a fanatic. I understand the Barna quote and what the blog’s posting said. My point is not to allow passion or excitement be the barometer of your fanaticism. Not that you or anyone reading your blog necessarily would.
June 4th, 2005 at 9:23 pm
Randy,
I am sure you can about guess what my reaction to this will be. Though theologically sound I cannot help notice a trace of mischief on this comparison. I am surprised though that it took you this long posting on the blog to get around to the customary dig on “fans”. Even so, I find nothing to disagree with.