Devotional: The Owlnapping
Saturday, November 13th, 2010
After you’ve heard “The Owlnapping,” check out this devotional thought. (If you haven’t heard the episode, check out the Media Player. You can also find a station in your area.)
By Bethany Brown
It seems pretty silly to think that a stuffed owl can win a basketball game. The team in the “The Owlnapping” made mistakes in understanding what the owl symbol meant, but they’re not alone when it comes to misunderstanding.
In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas were preaching in a city named Lystra when they saw a man who was crippled. God gave Paul the power to heal the man so that he could stand up and walk. This act should have pointed the people to God’s power, since He healed the man.
Unfortunately, the people of Lystra didn’t understand what they saw. Instead of worshiping God, they worshipped Paul and Barnabas! They called the two men gods and wanting to offer sacrifices to them. When Paul and Barnabas realized what was happening, they shouted, “Men, why are you doing this? We are only human like you!” Paul and Barnabus didn’t take the credit, but they tried to point the people back to God.
In the same way, Ryan tried to get his team to understand that the owl didn’t make them win. But like the people of Lystra, the players had a hard time listening. They thought that their talent and ability to play somehow came from a stuffed owl. They didn’t think about who really gave them their basketball skills.
When we think of our talents and abilities in sports, in school, or in creativity, we should remember who gave us those gifts. Our gifts come our wonderful Creator, who gives us more than we can ever deserve or imagine.
Have you ever been in a situation like the basketball team? Do you play on a team with a mascot? Let us know in the comments below.






