For whom the bell tolls
WHEN the referee blows his whistle to kick off the Flying Fijians final pool match against Wales today, it would sound like the death knell for someone’s rugby hopes at the Rugby World Cup 2019.
For whom the bell tolls?
It is definitely not for Fiji coach John McKee and his players are positive about it.
Winning a bonus point against Wales and expecting Georgia to beat Australia on Friday and Wales to lose to Uruguay next week may be too far-fetched in the minds of many.
As far as scores of rugby fans and rugby observers around the world are concerned, our chances flew out the window the day we lost to Uruguay.
Our only focus now is to soundly beat Wales and establish our points at third place for an automatic qualification.
But deep inside the hearts of many fans, players and believers flickers a tiny hope and a wish that something extraordinary could happen.
Miracles have happened before and our rugby players have completely turned their focus on lifting their spiritual life in preparation for the final assignment.
Even the rugby fans are fasting and praying. A rugby follower said he felt like he was the only one praying and fasting because the day he failed to complete his fast and had an early lunch that was the day Uruguay won. He is blaming himself for the loss.
He has never broken his fast since then and the win against Georgia was greatly appreciated and thoroughly rewarding.
The players have also reaped the rewards when they showcased to the world, in the 45-10 victory against Georgia, the class of entertaining rugby we have when everything is tuned right.
Today, instead of talking only about rugby, we will delve a bit about the possibility of the impossible happening.
What had prompted this decision was an email on inspirational words which arrived in the inbox and this is what it said: “I think God secretly enjoys scary statistics so He can show up and show off, “says Greg Stier.
He was just talking about God, but he is inspiring us as we consider the Flying Fijians situation.
We can look back through the Bible and through the experiences of His people past and present to prove to us that God has no respect for scary and impossible odds and statistics, political correctness or human limitations.
Some years ago a visiting man of God had prophesied that Fiji would win something big in sports, but before that a natural disaster would hit the islands.
Before Fiji won the Olympics gold medal on August 12, 2016, He sent Category 5 Cyclone Winston in February.
There was widespread devastation and death and the churches filled up as those who hardly prayed before were down on their knees.
Never before had the Fijian people been so united as one people to give their money, time and lives for the victims.
There was a spontaneous outpouring of unconditional love as the people united as one and sacrificed for each other.
That unity was, we can call, the trigger and the basis of the campaign to win the Rio Olympics gold medal as God `commands his blessing’ to where there is unity.
Then we had Englishman Ben Ryan, who was no missionary, but his philosophy was based on two words “Veilomani” and “Cakacaka Turaga”. Loving everyone and hardwork
Bible scholars will tell you how relevant and poignant are those two words regarding the inner truths, the basic truth and the whole truth of God’s character.
The rugby paddock has become the pulpit where players display their spiritual beliefs and the two Fijian rugby players from Naitasiri, Virimi Vakatawa and Alivereti Raka, did not deny their belief in God when they spoke in English, French and Fijian. “First, I would like to thank God
The will and will not is God’s business. Ours is to be united as one in supporting our boys in prayer and encouragement. Because, He says, if we believe, we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer.
for the strength and power……etc.” This was also echoed by our skipper Dominiko Waqaniburotu after the Fiji win.
They and scores of Fijian players interviewed on television, beginning with sevens maestro Waisale Serevi, knew very well that the majority of people watching will be having itchy ears listening to the same old lines. But they also know that it is a prerequisite for success and they do it anyway.
In that sense, they have become evangelists on the rugby grounds telling millions of people that God is real in their lives.
The poor, the downtrodden and the broken in spirit are all encouraged.
Many times they may not win the Cup of victory, but they have been used to prepare many other cups for God’s glorious kingdom.
As another inspirational phrase from Burk Parson says: “Unbelievers don’t read their Bible, they read us.”
So, what is the final verdict, will there be another upset victory in the pool to favour Fiji?
The will and will not is God’s business. Ours is to be all united as one in supporting our boys in prayer and encouragement.
Because, He says, if we believe, we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer.
Go Fiji go!