Light of faith is vital in our troubled world

SOME time ago, I was interested to read two personal faith quotes in the press. Both were from sports people, which I found very constructive and encouraging.

The British swimming champion was quoted as saying: “I’d rather have my faith and my relationship with Jesus and come second than have a gold medal because my faith has all the answers.”

An American girl, who had won a gold medal in a hurdles race, was quoted as saying: “I credit all that I do to God. He has given me a gift… because whenever I step on the hurdles track its always ‘Let me be the vessel in which you are glorified’ so, whatever the result, God’s going to get the praise through me… that’s why I do what I do.”

Both of these remind me of the Advent hymn Hark, the Glad Sound!, which goes:

The Saviour Comes, The Saviour promised long.

Let every heart prepare a throne and every voice a song.

Yes, faith and songs relate to God’s salvation and promises.

He comes the broken what the heart to bind, the bleeding soul to cure, and with the treasures of his grace, enrich the humble poor.

I guess all those words are God’s gifts to all of us.

Those of you reading this article have been given the privilege of knowing what the world celebrates.

We have been given two very personal quotations of faith from two sports people.

Their faith is entirely based on Jesus Christ and vital for the world, which is both unstable and vicious in vast areas — but able to be redeemed.

So share a gift from the Gospel of John: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”

That light is Christ the Lord.

Rev Canon Colin Hill
retired priest