A few weeks ago I was in Chicago with my boss doing a preview trip for a 9th Grade trip that we will be taking in June. While we were walking down Michigan Avenue, we went into the impressive Niketown store. While we were in there I saw a sign that caught my eye and I've been thinking about what it said for quite a while.

Just in case you cant read the inscription, here's what it says:
In Europe they say you can tell which city
you are in by looking at the church spires.
Here in America, it is much the same; visitors
need only to look to our stadiums - our cathedrals
of sport - to orient themselves.
This is nowhere more true than in Chicago, where
these venerable structures stand not only as
landmarks, but as stone and steel testimonies to the
power of sports. Like those churches of Europe, each
possesses its own recognizable characteristics. And
like those churches, each is a place of worship.
Niketown Chicago is dedicated to the same
spirit of reverance that built those edifices, and
which moves us to gather together to watch
full-grown adults at play.
The truth communicated by this inscription is eery to me. I believe that God has wired us to worship 100% of the time. The question is what is it that we place as the object of that worship. Unfortunately, it is easy to put other things, events, people in the pace where God deserves to be.
There is a lot of buzz in the Twin Cities about "Target Field" the brand new outdoor stadium where the Minnesota Twins now play. I can't help but wonder about this "place of worship". I don't believe that sport is evil but I have been in a stadium where people are out of their minds in celebrating and cheering for their favorite sport team. I wonder what would happen if I was as committed to drawing my family, students and self to place their worship/devotion to the only One who is deserving of it as Niketown is committed to sport.