Thought for the week (we 22nd June 14)

With just eight games played Brazil’s Word Cup has already seen 28 goals scored compared to 13 in 2010.

Included in this ‘goalfest’ was Holland’s brilliant 5 -1 win against champions Spain and, of course England’s defeat at the hands of Italy. This ups England’s game on Thursday against Uruguay which must be won if there’s any real chance of them going on in the competition.

Whatever the result it’s been a real pleasure to share in all the excitement, tensions, elations and inevitable disappointments that make up the game. There have also been some lighter moment – like the banner unfurled in front of some Welsh boys which said ‘Please do not film us our wives think we are fishing in West Wales’ You can’t beat that!

We have recently celebrated Pentecost the day the Christian church was born by the power of the Holy Spirit. Inspired by the experience of salvation the Spirit united those who believed to proclaim in word and deed the love of Jesus.

Convinced of the need to work together for the coming of the Kingdom of God, the church soon broke the divides of culture and tradition as together the early believers lived and died for their new found faith. That remains true to this day as in the church we are all team members who must contribute our own individual gifts and talents for the good of all. It’s not good enough to be on the terraces we have to be in the team.

The dynamic rise of the church in many countries, often where there is persecution and where to profess faith in Jesus can mean imprisonment or even death is a challenge to the apathy and indifference to the church in this land of ours.

The question the old Spiritual asks is so relevant – ‘If you love Him – why not serve Him?’ It’s time to be part of the team, to run the race of faith and then to win the crown of life.