New World, Old Soul

Being an Iowa football fan provides all sorts of opportunities.

Sometimes, we win the Big Ten West. Sometimes, we have one of the best defenses in the nation. And sometimes, our already weathered offense has been riddled with injury and we lose the game to Minnesota at home.

We get many opportunities to practice conflict resolution with referees, healthy coping mechanisms, and maybe even the ability to extend grace and kindness to a handful of 20 something kids who are trying their best out there (and coaches we may not always agree with).

I’m not even remotely superstitious, and also… we’ve lost all but one game I’ve attended in the last 5 years. I’m talking Northwestern, Purdue, Iowa State, Nebraska, Minnesota, and more! The one win I attended was Penn State 2021 and that was cancelled out by the Penn State shutout I attended in 2024 when Iowa made history by getting shut out for the first time since 2000.

Also, rain all day. Literal rain on our parade.

And I can’t help but think… is there a lesson here? Am I putting my faith somewhere that can’t uphold the complete resolve I give it? Am I storing my joy in a place that can’t properly safeguard it? (The answer is yes).

Am I worshipping at the altar of athletics?

I love sports just as much as the next gal, and friends…. They ALWAYS lead to eventual disappointment. The best outcome (championship) has an expiration date. The next loss is always around the corner.

It’s 2025 and even Alabama football fans can relate. No dynasty lasts forever. Most dynasties don’t happen.

We appoint human referees to even the score, and how does that turn out?

And then there’s Jesus. He came into the world in a parade of victory. His supporters believed He would overcome the government, rise to power, and reign in complete and total victory forevermore. His championship parade happened even before He won the title. (Palm Sunday)

And then what happened? He accomplished everything He came to accomplish, and it ended in death on the cross (or so the world thought). He died on the cross and it seemed like a spectacular loss.

Sometimes I joke around to mask my own disappointment, but in all seriousness, no loss ever hurt as much as that one did. The scoreboard seemed final. World 1, Jesus 0.

And those who stored their treasure in earthly outcomes truly saw rock bottom.

Where are you storing your treasure?

If it’s not God’s will, the resurrection and love of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit… I’m here to tell you firsthand you will be disappointed every time.

Whether it’s Iowa sports, Iowa State sports, Nebraska sports, your kids’ accomplishments, that next promotion, your paycheck, your appearance, your home, your social status… it doesn’t last. It never lasts.

These things may pacify us temporarily, but the well will always run dry. Only living water will quench the thirst we all crave. (John 3-4)

And take it from a girl who loves both Jesus and Iowa sports, only one of these things will hold you close at night, give you rest, and make you feel peace like a river in your soul. (And it’s not Iowa sports.)

I have decided to follow Jesus— how do people cope without Him? Store your treasure in the only place it will be safe. Look towards the cross.