Thought for the Week: ‘Rugby World Cup 2019’

The lovely surroundings of the Kumamoto Stadium saw the fourth successive win for Wales in the Rugby World Cup.  Uruguay was a worthy opponent, and the first half for the game was not the best performance by the Welsh team.  Analysts recorded five try-scoring opportunities lost and some mistakes which might have see a much larger margin in the final score.  I was listening to as much as the first half as I could on my way to lead worship at Adulam in Felinfoel.   I was in good time so I waited in the car listening to the half time comments on both Welsh radio stations. Switching from one to the other there was almost mild panic as commentators reflected on those missed opportunities with one describing the Welsh play as ‘stuttering’.   I found myself shouting back – ‘there’s another half to go!’   At the end of service those same commentators were far more upbeat and confident. It was a win and a convincing one at that.  Now there’s everything to play for, Wales at the top of their pool, a third bonus point win in four games, and a quarter final against France next week. Now the rollercoaster of emotion and willing the Welsh team to win gains that extra momentum.   We can’t be sure of the final outcome but it’s no bad thing to be encouraged and to have the confidence that something historical and momentous in Welsh Rugby history may well be on the way.

Life for us all can often be rollercoaster of highs and lows. When challenged with situations that are uncertain or when problems arise that seem to be out of our control we need to be sure that circumstances can change, sometime quite unexpectedly for the better.  Where can we find comfort and assurance that we are not alone in even our greatest need?  The Bible tells us that God neither slumbers nor sleeps and that’s an amazing truth.  He is ever near to us when things are going well and we’re on the highest of the high but even more so when the pressures and uncertainties of life suddenly descend.   Jesus taught us that God is our Father. In that simple yet profound truth is the assurance that whatever happens we can face the future with renewed confidence and hope by trusting and believing in God’s promises.  To be comforted and encouraged in the embrace of our Father’s love and to know then, without any doubt, that we’re  on the winning side!