No Fans at Games?

Since UNPACKIN’ it is a ministry for sports fans, I am especially intrigued by all of the conversations surrounding the different options sports leagues are considering to resume play.

I love hearing that leagues are preparing for the action to return, but the caveat is games might be played without fans in attendance. What, no fans?!

Being able to watch live sports on TV is better than having no sports at all, so I think most of us would accept games with no spectators. But even though players would be excited to get back on the court or field, they’d quickly miss having the crowd cheering for them and it would be tough on them in the long run.

As fans, we play a key role in creating the atmosphere at sporting events and it's hard to comprehend the thought of empty stadiums and fanless arenas.

Fans are critical in providing energy, encouragement, support, enthusiasm, and creating momentum for the home team. Fans are there to root for their team and rally around them by standing and clapping. Especially, during a difficult stretch in a game, players look to the crowd for motivation to keep going.

I hope sports return soon, but it would be challenging for players to show up to an empty stadium with the same amount of passion and intensity without hearing the support and encouragement from their loyal fans.

Most of us don’t have fans showing up to our jobs to cheer us on when we work on our “TPS report,” and nobody is standing and clapping when we change our baby’s diaper, but the reality is we all need support and encouragement in our lives.

Life is a lot more challenging if we don’t have friends and family members surrounding us with encouragement and support. We need each other to stand in the gap during difficult stretches, to offer us an uplifting word, and be in our corner to help us keep going.

We are just like athletes who need that extra boost from fans. When we receive it from others, we also have more passion and intensity.

This is particularly true as followers of Jesus because when we pour into the lives of others, we build each other up in faith. The following verses affirm this:

"Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11; AMP).

"We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord” (Romans 15:2; NLT).

"So then, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another ” (Romans 14:19; AMP).

We also have to help in times of need and be there to encourage each other not to sin.

Hebrews 3:13 (CSB) says, "But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NLT) tells us, "Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.”

I’m not sure when sports will resume or when fans will be allowed to enter stadiums to cheer on their favorite teams, but I do know we need each other right now. Today, let's be intentional in being each other’s biggest fan!

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I wouldn’t be so focused on my own problems and concerns, but instead take the initiative to support and encourage others. Please help me to cheer others on in the faith and provide the motivation to keep going, which is rooted in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

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Do you have a tougher time seeking out encouragement or giving encouragement?

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In what ways do you personally need encouragement or support right now?