Wednesday 9 February 2011

Just add water

There's nothing quite like playing football in the rain.

Some time ago I lived in sunnier climes.  It was very hot for ten months of the year, very very hot for one month and then in the remaining month, if God was pleased to let it happen it would rain.

Being the milky-skinned foreigner I always felt at a bit of a disadvantage when trying to play football under the intense Kenyan sun but I (and my other equally milky colleagues) battled on.  However when if rained - and it didn't have to be more than a light drizzle, our tough-guy African friends all ran for cover, pathetic.

What a pleasure to back in this country and to run out in the rain, mocking anyone in a snood and relishing the wetness.  The water dripping of your nose, the loud slapping sound of synthetic imitation leather against slightly flabby thigh.  The sheer joy of being soaked through and not caring a bit because this is a battle against the other team, against the weather and against your very will, truly awesome.

This is how a Christian, a person belonging to Jesus, can face the stinking weather of life.  As the rain of pain drips from our emotional, physical or spiritual lives we can take heart in the knowledge that we are in a battle, that this is what we are here for.  We, none of us, where created to look pretty in a pew or smile widely as the minister tells another corny joke, we are here to bring glory to Jesus and we do that best when we know we're in a fight.

God's people are not wimps, or fair-weather worshippers; God's people are warriors with victory in their sights.  With Jesus as our commander-in-chief, the bible as our weapon and the Holy Spirit as our guide we will never, never, never be defeated!

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.
1 Samuel 17:47

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And now for something completely different. 
Hero by Skillet. Rock on.

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