Sportsmen Showing their Faith

Over the last month i have been pleased and amazed to see high profile sportsmen from high profile sports publicly displaying their beliefs. On two occasions within the period of two weeks I saw two sportsmen wearing t-shirts displaying their love for God.

In the first instance, in the sports section of a local publication in Pretoria, RSA, I saw one of the Blue Bulls (Vodacom Cup) team members, after winning this prestigious competition for developing of young rugby talent in South Africa, wearing a t-shirt (at the trophy handing over ceremony) with the inscription Acts 1 v 8. This fascinated me and lead me to go upstairs and check what the verse said. It read "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (ESV).

What a challenging and inspiring verse. The fact that we as people can receive power from God when the Holy Spirit has come upon us is truly promising and amazing. The real challenge is then to live up to the second part of this verse, to be God's witnesses to the ends fo the earth. Where ever we go to be His witness and to testify of Him and His grace, passion and enduring love for us.

I believe this verse is so applicable to the sports men and women. They truly do often travel to the 'ends of the earth' in their sporting quests. What an opportunity they have to be the testament of faith.

In the second scenario I was watchign the final match of the local soccer PSL tournament. If SuperSport United drew the match they woudl win their innagural domestic football championships. Which they did and after the game the PSL proceeded to hand of the winning teams cheque and the trophy. This was all broadcast live on TV and when they were receiving their trophy I saw that their Captain Ricardo Katza was wearing a different t-shirt and reading it said ("Jesus is Alive"). Once again amazing how he was bold enough to wear this esepcially considering he is the captain and secondly that he was not wearign the club outfit and sponsors logo. Bold yes, but strong for Jesus!

SB

Tuks Swimmers

I have been inspired by the faith of some of our Tuks swimmers and in particular their willingness to honour God through their efforts in the Pool and when they are in their personal lives. It has brought a tear to my eye to see them profess their faith either when they were competing to be qualify for the Olympic games (in April, in Durban SA) or back at home base at the pool.

A few in particular have really stood out for me. Suzaan Van Biljon and Lize-Marie Retief whom were vocal about their faith and strength from God both at these championships and at the World Short Course, where Lize achieved a very respectable 5th place and Suzaan a Gold in the 200m Breaststroke & Bronze on the 100m Breaststroke. There they were not afraid to tell the world why they are swimming well and who is providing their strength.

Byron Ferguson also stands out for me and in particular the efforts he is making with the younger swimmers. Unfortuantely Byron narrowly missed qualification for Beijing but the improvements he made at the Trails is phenomenal. The initiating of prayer time at nationals and the launching of 'Tuks Men For Jesus' along with swimming friend Fouche' Venter has been awesome.

Well done Guys, i truly believe that your hearts are in the right place.