Welcome to “Athlos” a weekly Wednesday blog which examines pillars of personal excellence and regularly brings together the worlds of spirituality and sport.
Hope Prevails
“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth”-Psalm 71:5
Bale and Wales
Hope is powerful. It energizes when you are weary and keeps you going when life’s challenges seem unbearable. The psalmist above spoke of the confidence he held for many years because of the divine security that Yahweh offered him.
Waiting in hope for an extended period is the stuff of many athletes, including basketballers. The Cleveland Cavaliers had to wait until 2016 for Lebron James to lead them to their first NBA title. Al Horford, currently playing for the Boston Celtics is participating in his first ever NBA Finals, this after a 15-year wait! Veteran point guard Chris Paul, of the Phoenix Suns, still has no championship ring.
Switching sports, last weekend provided us with magnanimity, grit and a world of emotions as Wales and Ukraine battled for a spot in football’s showpiece event, the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar. For Ukraine, it was their first match since the distressing invasion of their country by Russia in February of this year. For Wales, they had only been to the World Cup once before, back in 1958.
Step up talisman Gareth Bale. His deflected free kick was enough to secure a 1-0 victory for Wales. Once again it was Bale doing it for Wales. Spare a thought for Ukraine, though. To even get on to the pitch in the current circumstances, deserves our fullest admiration. Our wish is for peace to be restored to their homeland.
Hope drives us on. The Welsh public longed for the day when they could say for a second time: “We qualified for the World Cup.” “Wale” done, Gareth! My home country, Trinidad and Tobago shares a similar dream as does my wife’s native land, Jamaica.
What are you hoping for today? In the wider scheme of things, whatever you are going through, trusting in God’s divine provision, steadfast love and abundant grace is solid ground upon which to stand. He can be trusted to deliver. We just need to be patient.
What victory entails
Whether on the field of play or in day-to-day life, keep hope burning. It may add years to your life.
If you were inspired by this blog, please consider sharing it with one other person today. To learn more about these and other related themes that promote the cultivation of an integrated inner self, read UNBEATABLE! which is available on Amazon in print and as an e-book.
This Post Has 6 Comments
Excellent read as always Tyrone…..”Wale” continue to pray for peace to be restored in Ukraine, also for Trinidad & Tobago with the
current spike in incidents showing the frustration and anger that individuals have.
Thank you so much!
This was a good read. I was wonder at first – what would this article be on given the headline “Wale Done”.
I got it now.
Thank you, Allison. I’m glad that my play on words did not derail you!
This is great Tyrone. Waiting is often a good thing, once it is the right thing. Wale done.
Thanks, Michelle.