The Cyber Kazbá

About a week ago I moved to a foreign country. And to tell you the truth I don't know what to think of it. Its all been so surreal like I am just visiting and I will return home to the USA soon. But this isn't true, I am here for an indefinite amount of time and this will be my home. So what am I to do? So much of me is left back in the states; and I now find myself in a foreign land with foreign people who speak a foreign language. Can such a place really be my home. If home is where the heart is, why is some of my heart still in the USA?

I was stricken with theses thoughts (well as stricken as I guess I can get, because those who know me know that I don't really ever get stricken with anything) and I began to relate my problem with a common Christian Evangelical attitude, and that is of escapism... Escapism is the idea that this world is not my home and I just passing through. That Heaven will be so much greater than this hell-hole that I just can't wait to get there. The problem with such ideas is that like it or not this world is your home because God created it to be your home! Also I am not so sure that Heaven and this "hell-hole" are so distant from each other (spiritually and maybe even geographically). Christ came and ushered in the Kingdom of God, He spoke of it as if it was in our midst; growing like a little leaven all around us. Christ came to earth to bring heaven to earth not the other way around... And if we truly believe this, that the kingdom of God is all around us; it should produce two things (at least): worship and service. The coming and growing of the kingdom of God calls for great celebration and praise for what God has done, what he is doing and what He will do. Participation in the kingdom of God is bringing this news to the many who need to hear it; by helping the down trodden and the oppressed, releasing captives, and feeding the poor. All the while building a community that is focused on the Kingdom here and now.

So how does this relate to me moving to a foreign country and struggling to find a home? Its simple. It means that I am the number one recipient of the sermon I just typed. If home is where the heart is, my heart should be for the Kingdom of God; so no matter where I am, USA or CR, I will always be at home. Hopefully I can build a community here that is like minded because on my own it will be hard.

Ok, I have heard the complaints, the arguments, the rational; and honestly I hear ya. Most people think that fantasy football is ridiculous. And had you asked me of my opinion of fantasy football 3-4 years ago you might have heard me say that the sport (can one even call it a sport? Lets call it an activity); the activity seems mindless and waste of time. I mean how can someone spend endless hours poring over a computer screen checking and re-checking statistics for their imaginary team, scoring imaginary points, to win imaginary glory? I mean is real football so bad that we have to create a fantasy football? Isn't it enough to waste 3-4 hours of your time on Sunday afternoon devoted to one team, but instead now there is interest in all of them. How can fellas who don't necessarily have much to say most of the time not stop talking when asked about their fantasy team? What is the draw? Why is it so fun? And who really cares?

I gave fantasy football a genuine try last year and I have to say it was more fun than I could have expected. From the pressures of the draft, to the taste of one's first victory, to the glorious appearing to the Toliet Bowl have to say it was pretty sweet. But to tell you the truth, had I done all of that with a bunch of scrubs online who I never knew nor met I would have to say it would be a waste of time... What I am saying is this, it is the people who make fantasy football worth doing. It's not the Shaun Alexanders, the LTs, nor the Larry Johnsons; but rather its the Andy Petersons, the Justin Winzenburg and Paul Sorensens (to name a few) that make fantasy all worth it. I am talking about genuine connection. This year's league will stretch all across the USA and into two other continents giving those who are away a great obligation to stay in touch with 13 other individuals thousands of miles away. And these aren't just ties with friends there are blood relative ties that will be bonded all in the name of fantasy football.

Ok, I know it sounds a little cheesy, and the first question that comes to my mind is...Isn't there anything else that could make this connection other than fantasy football? The answer is no; there is nothing else quite like it that is going to keep our genuine interests alive enough to check into each other lives. I know myself well enough that when I go away for the next year or so, the football season will be the only season that I will communicate with the most people on a regular basis. Sad maybe, but true. So let me hold on to my imaginary league for as long as I can so that I don't slip into my own imaginary world.