I’m sorry the World Cup is over. I enjoy watching football. It’s not just the goals, though they’re exciting, but it’s also the lead up. It’s a team defending, intercepting and passing well. It’s players anticipating, being in the right place at the right time that makes it the ‘beautiful game’. Scotland did well to qualify, and with the support of our much loved Tartan Army we could teach some teams how to lose with good grace!
Football Heritage
Scotland has a rich heritage when it comes to football. Scottish pioneers shaped the global game and we are credited all over the world for introducing tactical passing and teamwork. Scots expats took it to South America and several individuals are named in the Scottish football museum at Hampden Park for bringing the game, its rule book and even footballs to the cities of Brazil in the late 1800s.
Mission Heritage
One name not mentioned in the Scottish Football Museum is Archie Macintyre. Archie was a member of Queen’s Park Baptist Church and was commissioned and sent out to Brazil in 1907. He became a renowned pioneer missionary to the remotest parts of the interior taking the gospel to unreached Amazonian tribes …. and with the gospel he also introduced them to Scottish football!
Bloom Again
We don’t have the influence we once had on the football pitch. As the sport becomes even more international, bigger countries are producing more successful players and teams. Yet, we are still welcomed by the world with a role to play. Likewise, the centre of Christianity has moved to the Global South. Missionary endeavour is no longer ‘the west to the rest’, but this doesn’t mean the Scottish church can sit back. With the experience and wisdom we’ve gained through centuries of failure and success we need to be partnering in mission, not assuming leadership but becoming truly intercultural.
I love our national song, Flower of Scotland. It has a great tune, but I don’t like the anti English sentiment. Rather our flower, the thistle, reminds me that Scots can flourish in poor soil and harsh conditions. Traditionally we were out front blaring our bagpipes terrorising the enemy. We may not have the prominence in football, but we’ve retained our passion for the game. Can we light the flame for mission again with resounding praise and a heart for the Lord and the lost? Who knows, that might even improve our football.
Lenna’s Blog 