The Other Room - June 2010 |
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Written by Tim Hancock
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In case you haven’t noticed, Sport is dominating not only the back pages
but the front pages and much of the television schedules as well. I’m
finding it hard to keep up!
On a Saturday recently there was on offer; the Football World Cup, Test Match Cricket, Tennis, International Rugby Union and Rugby League, Golf and Formula 1, all happening at the same time in various places around the world – South Africa, West Indies, London, Australia, Paris, USA, Canada, and all of it was available to watch on a TV set in Titchfield Common – the TV remote was doing overtime that day! Sport is an incredible vehicle for bringing people together, for releasing potential and for inspiring nations with hope that this is the year. England football supporters still remember 1966, even if they weren’t born then, and believe that this is the golden generation of players who will lift the FIFA World Cup Trophy in 2010. All the fuss for a trophy that is 36.5 centimetres (14.4 inches) tall and, made of 5 kg (11 lb) of 18 carat (75%) gold with a base (13 centimetres [5.1 inches] in diameter) containing two layers of malachite. In total it weighs 6.175 kg (13.6 lb) and depicts two human figures holding up the Earth.
Every player in every team, every supporter in every country believes they can win. Hope drives them on. All the preparations, all the training, all the sleepless nights and all for a trophy made of gold!
As the teams get knocked out hope is gone, reality sets in. We weren’t good enough – again! We have let all the supporters down – again! But true hope is bigger than the four weeks of a World Cup every four years. It’s bigger than any missed penalty, any missed save, any manager’s poor decision. Hope is bigger than 36.5 centimetres, more valuable than 5kg of 18 caret gold, more sought after than the temporary adulation of the world. Kaká, the Brazilian footballer knows that victory on the pitch is temporary compared to the greater victory that hope brings to those who will put their trust in God.
Paul writes; It’s not winning or losing, success or failure, outward show (that’s the NTHV – the New Tim Hancock Version), ‘what counts is a new creation.’ (Galatians 6:15) Whether you play football, cricket, tennis, work at a desk, in a classroom, look after your children, volunteer in the community (NTHV again), ‘do it all for the glory of God.’ (1 Corinthians 10:31) Whatever your hopes are for your team, your family, your life, put your hope in God, because hope in him ‘does not (will not, cannot) disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us.’ (Romans 5:5)
Have a great summer of sport! Have a great summer bringing glory to God! Have a summer of hope! Not just that England will win the World Cup this time, but that God will work in you and through you so that each day you will lift a trophy that is worth so much more than gold and will last so much longer than the best the world can offer. If our hopes are dashed and England don’t win again, remind people where your hope is and what and who you trust. If that overflows from you, imagine the impact you could have.
‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’ (Romans 15:13)
PS. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Sabbatical Fund. I am overwhelmed, humbled, moved deeply by your generosity, not only financially, but also by the assurance of your prayers and your encouragement. Thank you for allowing me this time and the opportunity to spend time away exploring different cultures and diverse ministries. I know that God will change me and I pray that through my life others will encounter the love of Jesus Christ more and more. May you feel God’s blessing as you have given and as you continue to pray for me during this time. You are amazing and it is a privilege to be able to be a part of this community of believers. We’ll keep in touch.
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