I don't want to be a talking head

James 2 v 14 - Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it?

I still remember the day when my Grandad and Uncle took me to my first football match. I remember the banter on the 40 mile drive to Aberdeen. As we walked towards the stadium my walk got quicker and quicker. Emerging into the sunshine I was greeted by a wall of colour and sound as I took my seat in the stand. What followed was 90 minutes of tension and pleasure all mixed in together. I was hooked.

I was a supporter, a spectator of Aberdeen FC. My role as a football supporter I have discovered goes way beyond yelling my lungs out on a Saturday afternoon. It's about discussion, debate and argument about anything and everything about the game. Its about opinion and boy do I have them.

One thing though through all my discussion, critique and advice I mask the fact that I cannot play the game. I am worse than rubbish.

Nate Larkin said in his book - Samson & The Pirate Monks - "The Gospel was far away, but we could still see it, analyze it and argue about it."

That does not wash with the Gospel. Learning the right words is a waste of time following Jesus is not a spectator sport.