Dear Friends

 

Our family are football mad. And with the World Cup underway much of the country has gone football mad too.

 

As the only one in my family who has never played a game of football, I am in the ‘if you can’t beat them join them camp’. A conscious decision I made over 20 years ago when my then boyfriend (now husband) was symptomatic with footy madness.
 

So, if you are not a fan, I wonder if I might be able to redeem it for you?

 

Football is a major and joyous part of my life. I love being outside watching the kids play. I am watching all three grow in confidence, resilience and appreciation of teamwork through playing the game. I have observed amazing moments where players show a genuine care for the opposition, where players don’t retaliate to unjust challenges, where thousands of people joyfully sing the same song in unison and commit to one another even though they are strangers.

 

The football stadium can be a place where we come together and respond to one another as Jesus would have us do. We can be disciples on the pitch and in the terraces.

 

I have seen this in my own kids.

 

The referee awarding my son a penalty, only for my son to correct him and say it wasn’t one. His coach was unimpressed – but what a witness to a different way of being! Not self-serving but instead committing to the truth and justice even when it costs us. He won Player’s Player, Parents’ Player and Manager’s Player of the year awards this season. All while be true to Jesus and his Way.
 

At a football tournament my daughter won a semifinal – she came to me and said ‘Mummy, I literally prayed to God – and it worked!’. Now there is some theology to unpack there, clearly not every prayer for a win leads to victory – Newcastle United would be doing better if so! But what I notice is she turned to God for help – and she would have been less likely to have had that ‘moment of seeking’ at home watching TV.

 

And I note the amazing witness professional Christian footballers are. In front of crowds, and across TV and the internet, reaching millions. Starting matches by praying, celebrating by signing the cross and giving thanks to God in post-match interviews.

 

So, football, like all aspects of life can be a place and opportunity to seek God, witness to Christ and join together. We can be disciples anywhere, wherever we find ourselves we can follow Jesus’ Way, and in doing show others the Way to walk in.

 

So however, you spend your time this summer, whatever your work or hobbies, whether at home or on holiday, there are opportunities to follow Jesus, and do as he would do.

 

And rather than simply enjoy, or despair, at the World Cup this summer, pray that the witness to Jesus would be strong.
 

Now the big question is who does God want to win?
 

Well, there is only one victory that matters. That is the victory over death that Jesus won for us.

 

All other wins are insignificant and change nothing, even if they do feel nice for a bit.

 

May you all have a blessed and joyful summer,

 

And may you share your blessings and joy with others,

 

In the name of Christ, Amen.