Bed-luh-m

I was told last night at prayer meeting the Bedlam Basketball game was in progress. At the posting of this article, I still do not know who won. I first published this article on November 21, 2006 before the OU / OSU football game.

Bedlam – (1) a scene or state of wild uproar and confusion; (2) an insane asylum or madhouse. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2005)

In 1247 the Hospital of Saint Mary of Bethlehem was founded in London, England. Three hundred years later in 1547 when the monastery was dissolved, the institution was transferred to a state run lunatic asylum, and the name was shortened to Bethlehem Hospital. If someone was considered insane, and institutionalized at that hospital, it was said they had gone to “Bethlehem”, or the way it sounded in the local dialect, the person was at ‘Betlam’. In effect the word bedlam has become a euphemism for a sixteenth century madhouse.

Now then; if you live in the state of Oklahoma, you know this is Bedlam week, and this coming Saturday Stillwater is going to be a madhouse. This is the week to not just be a fan, but a fanatic. Tens of thousands will brave the weather, traffic, and each other to attend the game. Literally, millions of dollars will be spent on tickets alone, as well as thousands more on soft drinks, and gasoline, not to mention the millions of dollars paid for merchandise, and television advertising. Sometimes we (myself included) go crazy over a three hour game that has no lasting significance in the greater scheme of life and eternity.

This year let’s get as excited about Jesus as we are the ball game. How? Be willing to invest as much money, time, energy, and passion to the Lord and His work as you are this week’s game. I promise; if you make such a commitment, you will find greater satisfaction than if your team wins, and the result is not merely bragging rights for a year, but an impact for eternity.