By HAROLD KELLER

Sunday, the eyes of the world will be on New Orleans, not because it’s a model city, but because the St. Louis Rams and the New England Patriots will be playing for the championship in Super Bowl XXXVI. So much focus on grown men who are overpaid, and many overweight, entertaining fans willing to pay outrageous prices for tickets and television sponsors spending millions to get their message across to the viewers.

The theme of the half-time show is “The Spirit of Humanity.” A fitting name for a world that hungers to be entertained and wanting, if just for a short time, to feel good.

The game, like most Super Bowl games in the past, doesn’t promise much excitement. The Rams are a 14-to-16-point favorite.

As the eyes of the world focus on the game, God’s eyes will be focused on the world as we all participate in the really important game – the one that will determine where we spend eternity – the game of life.

Allow me to share with you something I cut out of a newspaper while in the Navy in 1955.

“The Game of Life”

Dear God: Help me to be a good sport in this game of life. I don’t ask for a special place in the lineup. Play me where you need me. I only ask that I can give you 100 percent of everthing I have. If all the hard drives come my way, I thank you for the compliment. Help me to remember that you never send a player more than he can handle.

And, help me, Lord, to accept the bad breaks as part of the game. May I always play on the square, no matter what the others do. Help make me thankful for me.

Finally, God, if fate seems to be unfair to me, and I’m benched for sickness, or old age, help me not to whimper or squeal, that the game was a frame-up, or that I got a raw deal. And when I hear that final bell, I ask for no lying complmentary stones. All I want to hear is, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (The last sentence is something I added.)

The trophy presented to the winner Sunday means absolutely nothing, compared to the crown we will receive if we are winners in the game of life.

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. Call him at (985) 652-8477 or write to P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084.