Thought for the week: Football and sport are not the most important things in our lives!
The World Cup is now history, and for those who aren't fans of football it's a relief.
For me, raised with football, the World Cup brought some unforgettable moments.
When Germany faced outsiders Cape Verde, who introduced the Irish-born player Pico Lomes, from Shamrock Rovers, the game incredibly ended 1-1.
At the end, the players from both sides gathered in a large huddle on the pitch to pray together and celebrate their shared faith, led in part by German goalscorer Felix Nmecha.
Most pundits agree that the best team, Spain, won, against the persistent fouling of Argentina. For me, the most exciting game was England's third-place match against France, which saw 10 goals scored.
In a world where public figures are often reluctant to openly share their faith, England and French players gathered in a huddle to pray.
For many, football can become their God. I watched tears streaming in supporters’ eyes when their team was defeated, along with the aftermath of sackings and reflections on what might have been. As I saw Norway surprisingly beat Brazil, I wondered how Brazil and Liverpool’s world-class goalkeeper felt.
Allison Becker is a Christian who understands that while football can bring joy, its importance diminishes when we face life’s tragedies. Becker admits that when his father drowned at age 57 in 2021, he could not even think about football.
But he holds onto lasting hope: "I'm not religious, I'm a follower of Christ. For me, it's not about religion. It's about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus is much more than religion!
"Everything I am and have is thanks to Jesus. I'm still speechless to describe Jesus' love! He loves us, cares for us and wants to save us.”
Allison Becker knows the most important thing in life is not football, but the One who saves us for eternity.