Lessons from the beautiful game Part 2

Another not so pleasant observation from the World Cup... okay it is a bit random but work with me here. It irks me so much when I hear people come out with "Oh so you support Team X, they suck", or similar refrains...

Now call me lame, but this seriously gets to me. Why the need to ridicule other teams? I have no problem when you tell me why your team is good, but don't tell me why mine isn't. Especially when you actually don't know anything about my team. And then you get those people who really know nothing about football, but insist on supporting the team playing against your team. Why? Just to rile you up. C'mon now, have you nothing better to do?

Now in the context of football, this may seem arbitrary, but in the context of life and faith it becomes more of an issue. Paul calls us in Romans 12:15 to rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn. I was at Royal Bafokeng last Saturday to see  Ghana defeat USA. After the game the American supporters were obviously devastated. I heard some Ghanaian supporters (for the record I think they were actually South African) proudly singing that USA were the losers. Talk about rubbing salt into the wounds.

Are you even aware when you do this to others?

As Christians, we need to be prepared even in our own celebrations to respect those who are not celebrating. Like when you get your exam results and you passed but your friend failed, your celebration is always going to be muted, right?

But what about on the flip-side, when your friend has saved up for years and is now going on a dream overseas trip. What do you say? "I am so jealous, you suck!" No. Rejoice with those who rejoice, be stoked for them! "That's awesome! I hope you have an awesome time! Can I pray for your safe travels?"

Ephesians 4:29 reminds us to build others up in everything we say. I will never forget my mate Nkanyiso who challenged us when we playing a good ol' game of skim cricket. We were chirping the batsman everytime he missed the ball: "Do you need glasses?", "It is the round one!" etc. Nkanyiso challenged us after the game to consider if we had met the challenge of Ephesians 4:29. Where do we draw the line when it comes to joking about the weaknesses of each other? We need to remember that where we draw the line may be further out than others draw it. If we are to be all things to all people then surely we need to draw the line well inside of where those around us might put it.

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." - Romans 12:16

Lessons from the beautiful game Part 1

I have been frustrated by the amount of "simulation" from the players at the World Cup. We have all seen it, players take a dive at the slightest touch from a defender, then writhe on the floor in apparent agony, only to get up and run back into position as if nothing had happened. Further to this, players are often seen flashing an imaginary card at the referee to encourage them to book or send off their opponent. How sick is that?

Of course we are all quick to criticize this kind of action. But let us be honest, how often are our lives lived like this. We are so keen to point out the faults of others. We take joy in seeing others getting nailed for something they did wrong. We love to complain about the inefficiency or ineffectiveness of others. And yet, so often the very weakness we accuse the other person of is a weakness we ourselves struggle with. 

I often find myself "writhing on the floor in apparent agony" to try show-up someone else. If something goes wrong in one of my ministries, I am quick to politely mention to other people why it might not have been my fault. Or perhaps someone didn't do their job quite right, and that resulted in something not running properly in church on Sunday. It may not have really "hurt" me or caused me loss, but man will I complain about what was done (or not done) to show that I could have done better. And sure I probably could have done better, but I am often too lazy to work to the same standards I set for others. As I flash that imaginary yellow card, I know that I could easily get a red each time I don't perform to my own high standards.

This kind of action is so damaging to the Kingdom. Time is short to grow God's Kingdom here on earth. Why do we spend so much of it highlighting the imperfections in the good work of others? I often wonder if this type of action is what it means to "blaspheme the Holy Spirit". To make out as if the service of a fellow Christian is rubbish. Is her service not the work of the Spirit in her? Could our judgement in fact be the unforgivable sin spoken of in Mark 3:29?

My challenge to us all, is to not go down so easy when someone tackles us. Lets us keep our eye on the goal, and try stay on our feet as we dribble the ball that God has given us, the task He has given us to do for Him. Let us not fall down and then blame it on someone else. It is so much more satisfying to score a goal from open play after some classy Brazilian dribbling than to be brought down in the box and score from a penalty (and see our opponent sent off in the process resulting in his dreams being shattered). The Spirit equips us to overcome all obstacles.  If we don't complete the work God gives us, we only have ourselves to blame.