It's the question on every football fan's lips. Who will win the 2010 AFL premiership? There's a black and white army of faithful followers who will defend their colours to the end and then there's the rest of the football world that will barrack for anyone but Collingwood. As a Collingwood fan myself, I love to go to the MCG and watch a game of footy and look around at 50,000+ people screaming and cheering for their club with a passion that seems to be barely controllable.

White line fever effects those that don't even play the game and there is another personality that looms inside just waiting to be unleashed by whatever it is that turns on the switch. I too get swept up with the excitement of it all and often stop to ponder if my desire to express my passion for the Lord can ever reach such heights, and wouldn't it be great if all this noise and excitement was created because we were praising Jesus.

But then it strikes me.....When we are sitting next to a fan from the opposition team and cheering madly, they don't hear a word. We can cheer as loud as we like and praise our side but they don't get what we are saying. If anything, they think we are completely mad and should barrack for their side. The same can be said for sharing our faith. If we shout through a megaphone to the world and tell them what we think they need to hear, they won't hear a thing and will probably suggest that their way is a better way. 

Sharing our faith is as much about modelling our lives on Jesus as it is about barracking for Him. So next time you're at the footy, scream 'til your hearts content 'cause the opposition supporters won't barrack for your team, and next time you get to share your faith remember that a gentle whisper or a kind gesture may have a greater effect.