The undying Spirit of victory

  The football World Cup is upon us.  It's amazing how quickly this competition comes round!  Can it be really only four years since the last one?
  From the first match on 9th June until the final on 9th July, the eyes of a vast proportion of the world will be on Germany’s football stadia.  Millions will be urging on their national teams.
  Of course, that includes the English who, with the memory of the 1966 win, will be one of the most passionate countries following their team.  Already, long before a whistle blows, a ball is kicked or even a yellow card shown by a referee, there are houses and cars decked out with the flag of St George.
  It is easy to see why such a sporting event captures the imagination.  For the players in each team, winning the World Cup is the pinnacle of their professional sporting achievement and ambition. Success for them and their country can bring further wealth and fame.
  For each nation’s supporters, it is a great bonding event.  The competition brings together people from many backgrounds with a common purpose of cheering on their team.
  Some romantics would also say that the competition brings the world together: countries large and small sharing in the thrills and spills of the tournament.  After all, football is one of the simplest and easiest games that can be played and enjoyed wherever there is some open space and something to kick around.
  However, just a few days before the kick off, the world will be celebrating another event which has the power to enthuse people, which crosses national boundaries, which gives people passion and which enables them to achieve their ambitions and live exciting lives.
  I am referring to the celebration of Pentecost on 4th June.  This is the day on which the church remembers those exciting events recorded in Acts 2 that took place in Jerusalem as the Holy Spirit came to the people of many nations, bringing the power of God into their lives, equipping people to teach and heal, establishing Christ's church here on earth and uniting people in common purpose and service with each other.
  This was a pivotal day in the course of the history of the world. Its effect is still with us as the Holy Spirit continues to work in our lives and in our world today.  But, sadly, this event will pass by relatively unnoticed.  There will be no celebratory flags fluttering from windows or cars; no in-depth TV analysis; no massive outpouring of enthusiasm.
  The hype and glitter of the World Cup will soon pass into memory - recorded on DVD and in the record books - but the power of the Holy Spirit never wanes.  He continues to be as real, empowering and strengthening as ever.  He is not restricted to just the winning side or the top player.  He is with us now and for evermore.  That is something we can all experience and celebrate!

by Graham Clarke.