It is a phenomenon that most Americans do not understand. It happens every four years. I have observed it many times over my years of working with refugees and immigrants. What is it? It is the obsession with World Cup Soccer-or as the rest of world calls it- Futbol.
It happened again yesterday. I met my friend Luis from El Salvador for lunch at a Hispanic restaurant. Sure enough the match between Holland and Ecuador was on the TV. During our whole lunch time, Luis was mesmerized by the match on TV. It consumed all of his attention. I am not sure if he will remember any of our conversation.
The only thing that might compare in the USA is college football as it pertains to the team one cheers for. I used to plan my weekends around the games my team played in. But if my team was not playing, my interest was not so strong.
I should mention that El Salvador does not have a team in the World Cup. Nevertheless, Luis was completely enraptured by the match on TV.
It made me wonder what would happen in my life if I was as enthralled by time with Jesus as Luis is with World Cup Soccer. What if I watched and prayed like he watches the soccer matches. What a difference it could make in my life.
I like to joke with soccer fans that soccer is in the bible and then show them Philippians 3:14:
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Press on toward the goal-as in soccer goal. Okay I hear that groan. 🙂
But the principle of having that kind of passion for Jesus is my point. He defeated death for us. He died for all of our sins. His love for us is eternal. God has called us to follow Jesus. There is no greater honor or calling.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Jesusluvsall's Blog 
Hello, Matt. I’ve heard stories of how the streets grow quiet across Central America when World Cup games are played. A friend who visited Brazil said it was super still—until Brazil scored —then he heard cheers coming from every house!
World Cup soccer is an obsession. I was in Romania during the World Cup in 1998. Rach time Romania won, the streets were full of people cheering
I love this Post! It makes a lot of sense. I need to put more time in with Jesus.
I need more time with Jesus too
Love your take on Philippians 3:14!! So good!!
Thank you 🙂
I use that verse with an attention getter when I talk with young people at church. I joke that soccer is in the bible 🙂
Amen. We should be pressing toward our goal in Christ each day.
AMEN- press on to Jesus.
Have you had snow yet?
Not yet. 🤗
Gosh i hate football for this. It’s the World cup season , my country never qualifies but somehow men are always making so much noise while watching. It doesn’t make sense to me. But they for some matches even want classes cancelled. I hate the noise at 7 when am having supper , atleast it’s been reducing , maybe they’re done 🙄 what’s up with the football obsession. To be fair i should be used to it by now , it used to happen even in highschool
Where I live-the USA- it is not as big as the rest of the world
Yeah , shockingly. I did pick that from your post 🤣
Blessings for sharing this timely exhortation from Apostle Paul. As for soccer, I pretty much save my enthusiasm for two Ohio grandchildren who play high school soccer.
grandchildren playing soccer is one of life’s treasures