By Harold Keller-Get High on Life

LSU! LSU! LSU! That chant has always been popular, but never so loud and clean as it has been for the past month.

The frenzy, anticipation and partying that preceded the Nokia Sugar Bowl BCS National Championship game, to say the least, has been unbelievable. Die-hard Tiger fans, and I’m sure Sooner fans, have been almost unable to perform normal, everyday duties, waiting, thinking and hoping for a victory in the big game – many people paying outrageous prices for tickets. Some people who claim to bleed purple and gold even getting LSU Tiger tattoos.

Nick Saban, the Tiger fans’ savior, has led them out of the football wilderness into what many believe is the ultimate promised land, a national championship, and a crystal football trophy.

I enjoy sports as much as anyone else. I now realize that God could care less about who wins a game, but is concerned about all the players and fans.

I watched every play in the game and all the pre-game and post-game activities.

Before the game, I was grieved that before the National Anthem, the announcer asked for a moment of silence. A moment of silence in a country that claims to be one nation under God, but is afraid to acknowledge Him openly. I was concerned about the Scripture that says if you don’t acknowledge Jesus before man, He will not recognize you before His Father.

As Coach Saban raised the crystal football over his head, two Tiger players kissed it. I kept waiting for someone to praise God, but no one ever did. The Bible states that God is a jealous God! (Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 4:24)

Excuse me if you think I’m being too spiritual, but for some reason, I thought back to Moses and his leading the Israelites out of Egypt. God performed miracle after miracle, but being in the desert for 40 years, they got tired and rebelled against God.

Moses’ brother, Aaron, led a group of dissatisfied men and women who decided to make a golden calf to worship, instead of a loving God who had blessed them with the greatest victory – freedom.

Moses was given the Ten Commandments. One condemned idolatry: “Thou shalt not have any graven images before Me.” It could be your wife, your ministry, your bank account, or even a championship trophy.

I’m reminded of what Dwight Eisenhower told the Rev. Billy Graham, while on his deathbed. He said that he was a general in the greatest army, president and commander-in-chief of the greatest country, but now the only thing that mattered was his relationship with Jesus.

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational organization. Call 652-8477 or write to P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084.