Skin in The Game
Probably the most Christian, Non-Christian thing I’ve seen in a long time… love conquers all.
You’d have had to be in a coma not to notice the last few days events in sports. England had a chance to win an international trophy the likes of which they hadn’t got their mits on since winning the World Cup in the 60s. It was a close call, the kind of match that brought me to hiding behind the sofa for the penalty shoot-out.
One of the three players who missed the back of the net was Marcus Rashford, who at 23 is already what we Brits would refer to as a national treasure. He’s played football for Manchester United since he was 7 years old, remaining loyal to his local team despite interest from Everton and Liverpool. A remarkable player, but an even more remarkable man.
He is one of our working class heroes, achieving great things despite serious adversity and having accomplished his goal (😜), uses his platform to advocate for children in poverty. More recently, he’s published a childrens’ book called “You are a champion” to help kids cope with anxiety and offering bite-sized wisdom which I know ever young child could benefit from.What an incredible human being.
Only a few moments after the match ended, racist abuse slurried across social media platforms directed at Rashford and his teammates and his mural in suburban Manchester was defaced in a toxic fog of hatred.
And then something amazing happened. Much like the “Cover Up The Hate Mail” campaign, the general public rose up in acts of pure love. Children wrote letters to Rashford and stuck them over the graffiti, refusing to try to destroy hate with hate, instead covering it over and smothering it with love.
Here 11 year old Alfie expresses his admiration and thanks him for his recent book which helped him with his social anxiety.
And here’s Dexter, Aged 9 showing us all what love and gratitude looks like.
People covered up the hate with England flags and post-its of support until all you could see was how much he is appreciated and loved by the community he serves.
Why do I look upon these actions and see Christianity? I don’t think that the lovely people who came to cover up the hate were necessarily Christians, nor do I believe that they did it for that reason. I say it because I see love.
John 13:33. I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples — if you have love among yourselves”
Romans 13:8 Do not owe anything to anyone except to love one another; for whoever loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore, keep on encouraging one another and building one another up, just as you are in fact doing.
Hebrews 3:13… but keep on encouraging one another each day, as long as it is called “today”
To those people in the world who spread hate, regardless of the format in which you spout it; be it about religion, race, colour, gender, sexuality or just because you can’t stand to see someone else triumph over adversity. There’s still time for you to turn your heart in the right direction, there’s forgiveness for everyone in the love of Christ.
