In many ways sporting events reveal both the best and the worst of humanity. We all know the frustration and disappointment when our sporting stars turn out to have cheated, used performance enhancing drugs, or turned to destructive behaviour. In South Africa we still grieve the fall from grace, and subsequent death, of our late Proteas cricket captain Hansie Cronje. But, we also all know the exhilaration and joy when sports men and women display amazing grace, compassion and good character irrespective of whether they win or lose. Who can forget the great display of skill and character that was demonstrated in the classic WImbledon final between Roger Federer and Raphael Nadal a couple of years ago? Hopefully we will see a lot of the glory and little of the darkness in the World Cup which starts this week.
But, perhaps the most amazing and inspiring aspect of sport is the way it brings together two essential human characteristics - competition and collaboration. Last week we reflected on the “down-side” of competition, but there is also a very positive side to activities in which we set ourselves in contest with each other. In competition we are challenged to work hard, to discipline ourselves and offer our very best. Without competition, we would all too easily allow mediocrity to be the standard by which we live. When we allow others to call us to a higher standard that ultimately benefits us and those who are then challenged by our achievements.
At the heart of this competition, though, is the wonderful human characteristic of diversity. Each player has different strengths and weaknesses, which must be exploited by the opponent, and compensated for by team members. Each team has a different style, different language and different strategies. The World Cup is not just a celebration of soccer. It’s a celebration of the glory and diversity of the human race.
On the other side, it’s incredible that in a tournament like this, every team and every player must collaborate in order for the competition to work. The rules are agreed on by all. The logistical elements must be shared and co-operation on times, venues, equipment and rewards must be given by all. Paradoxically, the competition cannot go ahead without significant levels of collaboration. This is the beauty of these events - even though there is only one winner, we all win because we’ve learned something precious about ourselves in the collaboration that made the whole event possible.
These two elements can teach us a lot about our worship as well. In a sense we are called to competition with each other. As we seek to follow the foot-washing Saviour (See John 13), we are called to serve each other in the best way we can. We are called to outdo one another in love and humility (Philippians 2:3-8), not so that we can boast, but so that we can give and receive life. But, at the same time, we collaborate as parts of one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
In Church we are diverse - in language, music, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, theology - but we are all one in Christ. When we can worship together, celebrating our diversity and seeking to outdo one another in love and service, then we truly begin to experience the power of being the Church. So, this week, how can you embrace both your diversity and your unity as you worship?
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John van de Laar is a Methodist minister, liturgical consultant and the author of the book Food for the Road – Life Lesson from the Lord’s Table. He holds a Master’s Degree in theology from UNISA, and is the founder of Sacredise.com, an international worship training and resourcing ministry. John is married to Debbie, and they have two sons.
Visit www.sacredise.com for more articles by John, as well as resources for personal and public worship – music, prayers, liturgies, images and drama scripts.