Well done to England and Neil Rowe

With Malcolm Clarke of The Vine Coffee and Book Shop in Hinckley

“THEREFORE be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us” (Ephesians 5v1,2 The Bible) There was one Englishman who came particularly well out of the World Cup.

That man’s name is Neil Rowe. Credit to all the players, to the Manager and the staff, and to all the fans who conducted themselves commendably. You did us proud and raised the spirits of the Nation.

But Neil Rowe is the chap who dressed like Gareth Southgate; trimmed his beard and hair like Gareth Southgate; wore the same, shirt, tie and waistcoat as Gareth Southgate; and was `selfied` and interviewed and signed autographs, as if he was Gareth Southgate. Neil Rowe is actually a pilot from Surrey.

But he looked and acted the part.........as if he was Gareth Southgate.

When Paul in the Bible bids us to be imitators of God I don’t think this is exactly what he has in mind! Who knows for sure what shirt and tie to wear, how to coiffure the barnet etc. anyway? No in the Bible it’s something altogether more important, and the verses begin the explanation. We are to live our lives expressing the same love as we have experienced in and from Christ Jesus; the same, self-sacrificial, forgiving, accepting, and renewing concern, consideration, and embrace.

Just think what a difference that would make both to others and to ourselves. Not possible by human effort alone of course. But in taking Christ into your life it becomes an essential; a Necessity; the hallmark.

Changing the illustration, it’s Baloo in the Jungle Book who sings “I want to walk like you, talk like you, Ooooh” No bad ambition it seems provided we have God, we have Jesus, as our template, our role model, our Saviour.

As the Billy Graham website says “God wants His people to become like Christ, for Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God”

Well done England! Well done Neil Rowe. Come on Us.