Influence: From the Stadium to the Soul
How’s the soccer World Cup watch going? Are you watching the whole game or just the highlights? Also, who is your favourite player? And are you just watching soccer and gambling, or are you really into soccer? If yes, then which jersey have you bought?
The last World Cup I watched was in 2014 with my dad and brother. We were die-hard fans of watching soccer. In fact, all three of us have played soccer for years. I don’t watch that much now; however, I am still a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo. So yes, let me be clear: I am supporting Portugal because of him. Nay to Argentina. Messi is good, but I like Portugal because of Cristiano.
One of my friends sees him as a personality-type figure, perhaps even a bit dramatic, like a movie star. However, Cristiano’s game is still good—his speed, skills, and striking. “Shoot! Kick the ball now!”
Now I don’t know all the team members in Portugal. Again, I am supporting them because of Ronaldo. But when I was watching the 2014 World Cup, I was familiar with all the players. I even used to support Bayern Munich when Arjen Robben used to play as a right winger.
Even the whole team of Germany was pretty neat: Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Özil, Klose, Podolski, Müller, Boateng, and of course the goalkeeper Neuer. They were all pretty good, so I was able to pick them as my team even before the first game of the 2014 World Cup. I knew Germany would win. That was my calculated, instinctive, gut-level call—pretty accurate. And I don’t know this time because I don’t know all the new players in the different teams. It may be a surprise to see who will win.
We can also pause and ask ourselves:
Who is your favourite player in real life? Whom are we cheering for in real life, and why? Whom do we find the most influential, skillful, noble, and well-charactered persons in our lives?
Now I have to say something here: some of these footballers like Messi and Ronaldo seem to have good character. They are not just people doing all the messy stuff that some famous artists might do. This is why there is an honest liking in my heart for such players. And it is critical that we know why and whom we are cheering for. Some cheer for the most wicked person who is corrupt in nature, immoral in many ways. Run from such influence. All I am trying to convey is: follow and enjoy the success of those who have moral, ethical dignity.
Now let’s get to the question of who the important influential person in your life is and why. Think about it for yourself. Also ask this question: what value does that person add to your life? What is the impact? What is the purpose and goal of that impact?
Over the years, I have admired both men and women of great influence, sports stars, preachers, and theologians. I greatly admire the work of Millard Erickson. I am not sure he is even on social media. You may not like him because he is into systematic theology, and his book Christian Theology (3rd Edition) is a masterpiece.
Just like him, there are other great authors that I admire. They write with sensitivity, faithfulness, clarity, and academic richness. Now, you don’t have to have love for any theologians. But the question still circles around all of us: who is influencing us and why? Again, we should look for virtuous leadership. I am not talking about perfectionism, but we still need to be accountable to God and others in morals.
Now for me, above Messi, Cristiano, Millard Erickson, or John Stott, it is JESUS.
Why?
Because of His holistic example, purpose, and love for all humanity. Now this must be celebrated every single day, and I am glad there are so many who celebrate Jesus and His mission for all humanity.
Do you know what Jesus’ mission and purpose for humanity is? Let’s look at Mark 10:45 (ESV):
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus, who was fully God, became fully man, and dwelt among humanity—almighty, all-knowing, all-sufficient. He served humanity through His teachings and actions, and finally, He became the sacrifice for your sins so that you would be redeemed from the penalty of sin once for all. This happens when we choose to believe in Him and follow Him with all our hearts, again and again, not just for a season. At the same time, if we deny Him, our sinful failure will destroy us both now and eternally. We will suffer pain then.
That’s the truth. But our story can change if we accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour. We need Him. The more we know Him, the more we will cheer Him, follow Him, and let His influence be above all. We will experience the miraculous, resting richness of life in Him—the joy, the peace, the glory, the happiness, the sufficiency of life in Him alone. No great men or women can fill you up. No soccer player or even theologian—it is Christ alone, because He became a ransom for your sins to give you life.
He is the humble, powerful, most majestic, and glorious King from ages to ages. He is above all. Cheer for Him, live like Him, follow Him, and let His influence be the greatest in your life. Kudos.
Advisory: Don’t quit on watching soccer.
