Giving youth pastors the tools they need to make and shape disciples.

Why I Game Up Fandom

9 · 06 · 22

For 30 years I’ve rooted for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. If I told you how many times I’ve screamed at the tv, stormed out of a room or said so many potty words, you would blush. I was a true Notre Dame fan. I am a fan no more, mainly because the media hypes them every year, puts them in the top five, top ten and then they disappoint me. They can’t win big games and they haven’t won a National Championship in over 30 years.

I was a Giants fan for 30 years. I have watched them win Super Bowls and screws up their team more times than I can remember, but I just can’t anymore. I think they’ll have a good season every year but I am done arguing with my son, and others about it. I will not be any teams apologist any mores. You’re on your own boys.

Star Wars, for me, ends with Revenge of the Sith. Lord of the Rings ended with the Peter Jackson movies. I don’t care. I’m not going to spend minutes lets alone hours and days discussing things or arguing about things that do not matter. Its’ the trolls vs the normies and I’ll have none of it.

And it’s not just carnal things I have given up, I’m done arguing about Jesus, theology and the bible with you. My case is settled and your arguments will not bait me any any more. Do you have a hot take, good for you. You can keep it. I will be over here doing my thing while you try to be a Twitter Hero.

But why Paul? Why give up things you love? Here’s the truth, I don’t have the energy and what energy I do have, I have to manage so I can complete the tasks the Lord has given me.

Arguing about teams. Debating about culture. Remembering everything Tolkien said is not my priority.

According to Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, author’s of The Power of Full Engagement,

“Every one of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors has an energy consequence. The ultimate measure of our lives is not how much time we spend on the planet, but rather how much energy we invest in the time that we have.”

The website Better Up offers five way to manage your energy, not your time,

Set Boundaries

Include Rest

Schedule Time for Deep Inner Work

Keep Track Of Your Energy Levels (Sleep, Diet, Tasks, Emotions, People)

Three of the four principals Jesus used in his own life,

Set Boundaries – But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. John 2:24

Include Rest – Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”

Inner Work – After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone Matthew 14:23

I don’t think Jesus journaled but was self aware enough to make decision about how he spent his energy and who he spent it on.

So, if you’d like to talk about sports, culture, fandoms or theology, I’m down for some chit chat but gone are the days of wasting time and energy on trying to prop up my ideas up, tearing down someone else’s ideas or being an apologist for losers.

Keep an eye on your energy tank, not the clock.

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