A QUESTION OF FAITH

With Simon Wearn, rector of Holy Trinity Church You may not think of yourself as a worshipping-type person.

So, let me ask the question a different way: who do you thank for something big – not just a birthday present, but a wonderful day or the birth of child?

Who do you praise – when there’s a victory? Who do you direct your thanks, appreciation and simple wonder to?

In other words, who do you worship?

I’ve loved watching the Olympics, and have had more late nights than is probably good for me. I didn’t know that cycling could have so many different races, or be so exciting. My heart was thumping as I watched Jason Kenny escape disqualification in the men’s Kierin final and go on to win gold.

But my highlight was the Rugby 7s final - Great Britain versus Fiji. I was frustrated in the first half as Team GB failed to match Fiji and gave the ball away, but in the second half I appreciated the speed and skill of the Pacific Islanders – as they went on to win their country’s first ever Olympic medal. And you’ve got to enjoy that!

Yet the best was still to come – as the Fijian team celebrated their victory they sang: “We have overcome, we have overcome, by the blood of the lamb and the Word of the Lord, we have overcome.”

They directed their praise to God – and the rescue of Jesus (the lamb) through his death on the cross. That’s not to say that every Christian athlete wins – but when they did, they directed their praise to the God who made them and saved them.

They were not the only ones – Shaunae Miller’s words after winning the women’s 400m final were “I just give God all the thanks and praise”.

When victory comes, who do you worship? On a good day at the office, after an enjoyable day out, a fine meal, a fun holiday - who do you direct your praise to?

But not everyone wins. The pressure on the competitors is immense – both in the expectation on them and their personal drive.

US divers David Boudia and Steele Johnson reflected on the build up and pressure before their men’s synchronised 10m platform silver medal. David said: “You know, it’s just an identity crisis. When my mind is on this, thinking I’m defined by this, then my mind goes crazy, but we both know our identity is in Christ.”

Win or lose – many have found Jesus Christ to be their identity. He is to be praised in both victory and defeat.

When you’re celebrating – consider thanking the God who made you, even the one who offers to save you.