Thoughts on Empty Ballparks and Masked Church

Baseball is back and, although I’m a big fan, I really wasn’t too excited when the season finally started. Most disappointing was the fact that there would be no fans. But I gave it a chance, and after a while I found myself enjoying the games, fans or no fans. It’s not like I prefer empty stadiums, but it’s really not that bad. With or without fans, it’s still baseball.

It’s been about a month now that we’ve been attending church with masks, and at first it was a real downer! However, this Sunday I left church feeling like I had actually been to church. It felt good. It felt almost normal. It’s not like I’ll be campaigning for masks when all this passes, but it’s gotten to the point where it’s not so bad! With or without masks, it’s still worship.
I guess I had to ask myself these questions:

• “How much do I love baseball?”

• “Is my love for baseball greater than my dislike of empty stadiums?”

• “How much do I love worship?”

• “Is my love for worship greater than my distaste of masks?”

I’ve decided I love baseball more than I dislike empty stadiums.

I’ve decided I love worship more than I dislike masks.

So, I’m watching and attending.

(Note: I know many people who would love to be at in-person church but are at high risk and need to stay home. Continued prayers for the pandemic to pass so we can all safely be together.)