Last night the Glasgow Commonwealth Games were closed, and
the flag was taken down to mark the end of eleven days of competitive sport
between ‘friendly’ nations of the Commonwealth. The flag was ceremoniously
handed to representatives of the next Games scheduled to take place in Eastern
Australia in 2018, under the banner, ‘Gold Coast 2018’.
The latter part of the closing ceremony was used to promote
attractions of Australia, particularly praising the natural resources of the
eastern coastline. Kylie Minogue was the guest star who performed on stage with
numerous dancers endeavouring to create a festive and celebratory atmosphere.
The show ended with a display of fireworks. Altogether, the cost of staging
this year’s Games was reputed to be in the region of £50,000,000, but there
will be a legacy in terms of resources and facilities for aspiring athletes.
I confess I enjoyed watching many events as they unfolded on
my TV screen. There were times when I felt I was present. Yesterday I saw much
of the Men’s Cycle Road Race. The Glasgow sky was dark, and at times there was heavy
rain. I became so immersed in the Race that when I turned off my TV and I went
outside, I could not immediately adjust to the sunny scene.
A theme I kept thinking about was that there was more
going on in Glasgow than could be seen on the goggle-box. I knew that a friend
of mine was spending a few days there as a member of a team of Christians who wanted people to know that there was more to life than gold medals. My friend
was one of several Gideons who stood in the streets of Glasgow handing out New
Testaments to people who wanted them. An astonishing 9,000 recipients accepted them, and many received guidance and practical help.
1 Peter 1:6-8 ‘In this
you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved
by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious
than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise,
honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you
love.’
Links
More than Gold
Mission Matters
Gideons International
Gideons Org.UK
National Blitz - Commonwealth Games 2014
Social media pans Gold Coast Games promo
Australia to deliver ‘best’ Commonwealth Games
No comments:
Post a Comment