As a 19 year old started to be trolled with racist abuse, his only public failure was that he had stepped up to responsibility, and carried the weight of English late night expectation on his young shoulders. Like many before him (and many who will come after him)... he missed a penalty. An ex teacher kept their head (whilst many lost theirs), and sent this simple message.
Bukayo, you are not defined by a single penalty,
it does not change where you have come from and where you are going.
I am very proud of Bukayo, as a person, and a footballer. I am grateful for all who have invested in him, where he has come from, and where he is going.
What are you defined by today?
Those who define themselves by sport and football are suffering what "an expert" psychologist called on the news channel this morning "depression". Living from one event to the other, there isn't even any Wimbledon to cheer up those who grieve, and only talk of the distant next bubble to chase, the Olympic dream, the world cup wait.
This is what defines me this morning...
1) I am a forgiven child of God, and nothing can change it.
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." (1 John 3:1)
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
2) I am a coheir with Christ. I have an inheritance that can never be taken away.
"...and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,
provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:17.
"According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. "
1 Peter 1:3-4
3) I am living in the power and presence of the one who loves me and gave himself for me.
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.
(Romans 8:9)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
This last week my close friends and team were in a country which is less than 1% Christian, just a handful of churches in the whole country. I was due to be there with them, but was sadly (if sensibly) stuck at home due to restrictions. Thank God for technology. Whilst they were there we explored God's plans together through video calls. What God is doing to reach the unreached blows my mind and heart away. Pray for us as we process and pray through our next steps in his plans this week, and look to make the most of the many opportunities and those coming to Christ, from addiction, from false religion, from lives of crime, fear and failure. Although the failures in my life outnumber many penalty misses, God's grace is bigger. There is no greater privilege than being part of God's eternally good purposes to reach this world with good news, new life and liberation in Christ. This is what defines me this morning, nothing has changed - The world still needs Christ. I am still included in the best of his plans to share his victory and love. His love remains securely unconditional, and his presence remains utterly awesome.
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