If you're a Vikings fan, it's time to pick our hearts from the floor after the sound beating by the Eagles of the East

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

I readily admit thinking that this WAS going to be the year the Vikings would win the Super Bowl- especially after the Minneapolis Miracle catch in the final seconds of the game that sent shockwaves through New Orleans with many of their fans tossing large flat screen televisions off their balconies- while the same time gave Minnesotan's something to talk about in the week ahead besides the distressing headlines.

  For one week, most of us were able to put the ills of our lives on hold because we had our Vikings to cheer on. For one week, we were supreme in the eyes of our Packer work colleagues- gloating how good our team was in comparison to theirs which have already turned the lights off at Lambeau field and gone home to be closet Viking fans.

For one week, we were able to deflect the troubles of the world, rejuvenating those 'feel good' hormones in our bodies.  For one week, we forgot the fake news and those negative political posts that rear their ugly heads each time the computer comes on.

It was good while it lasted, but deep down inside I knew this to had to end-either in February with a Super Bowl win or loss, or as it turned out with a sound beating from a very good Philadelphia football team.

I started thinking 'what if people could get as excited about Jesus as we get excited cheering on a local sports team?  What if all our Churches filled up Sunday after Sunday with so many people there would have to be a call for more volunteers to fill the ranks to teach the children in the Sunday school classes?  

What if people who are hurting turn to the support groups in those churches instead of drinking their sorrows away?

While sports can be a great entertainment tool to help us deflect the worries of the world, it too is only a temporary panacea.  Just as it says in John 3:16, ' For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life, I'm reminded again of the profound importance this has on our lives. 

 Football is temporary, but God's free gift of eternal life is forever. Just as the Vikings were a gift to us this season, God offers us a gift that is freely given, but you have to accept that gift by asking Jesus into your life by confessing there is nothing you can do in this life to earn God's gift of eternal life.

Finally, just as our Viking's made us feel good for the moment, it is our faith in Jesus that helps us heal for the long term- all the way to the day we step into heaven breathing the delightful air while enjoying our new heavenly bodies in a place where there will be no more suffering.

Thank you Minnesota Vikings for giving us something to cheer about!