So Close...

Whatever your view on the Euro football I doubt you’ll have missed the build up to Sunday’s football final in Berlin. England v Spain was a thrilling match with Spain as worthy winner, just, and a brilliant team effort for us with Gareth Southgate maintaining his calm leading as our team’s manager.

That with the men’s finals at Wimbledon, the cricket Test Match in the week, and other sporting events, makes this season exciting for all followers of sports. And we have the Olympics starting in Paris soon.

There’s something powerful about the offer of an open hand for a hand shake before and after sporting contests that invites an attitude of fair play, and a reminder that friendship should remain at the heart of who we are, on and off the pitch.

What a contrast to the ongoing aggression and wars in parts of the world where ‘fight’ is shouted loudly accompanied by a closed fist; an incitement to hatred and war if ever there was one.

Whether we follow sport or not let’s do what we can to follow Jesus’ way in making peace in our world today. Yes, we need to stand against injustice and oppression, but let’s do so in ways that build up others, find the good in those around, and support and nurture all that builds peace in our troubled world.

God of peace, and hope of the nations, 

fill us with a desire to see your kingdom 

of justice and peace established in our day. 

Grant wisdom to all who influence over others, 

that they may work for the good of all. Amen.