"Football is not a matter of life and death, it is more important than that."
God’s initiative
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;I was found by those who did not seek me.To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ Isaiah 65:1God is the one who takes the initiative. The picture in this verse of God saying ‘Here am I, here am .’ is very striking. It is sometimes said that most religions are about man’s search for God. Christianity is God’s search for man. God reveals himself to man.
But it goes further than that, God reveals himself to people who did not seek him or ask for him. The world of sport not an environment where people routinely seek God but God routinely seeks athletes! And coaches and administrators – and apparently even referees!
If you have time read Isaiah 65:2-5 for an account of the type of people who reject God. There are several categories:
• The self sufficient “pursuing their own imaginations”.
• Those who follow other gods “burning incense on altars of brick” – and the gods of sex, money and power may be the modern recipients of our incense.
• Those who simply feel no need for God.
Look around the training ground today and I am sure you will see all those categories.
Be thankful and God has revealed himself to you and as opportunities arise, remind your friends that God is still saying “Here I am” today.