No, I don't have it, but I do pay attention to the games and the unavoidable controversies that accompany this world wide phenom. My first real encounter with the world cup occurred in an airport in France as my family was departing that beautiful nation after living there for nine months while immersed in language study.
This happened to be in June 1998, when France was hosting the World Cup. France went on to win this World Cup, by the way. My how the times have changed!! We had purchased our souvenirs before departing: the cups emblazoned with the French logo, posters of the French team, even a Swiss army knife for our son with the French team's rooster logo!
None of that compared to our stroll through the Lyon airport as we saw the masses of people who had literally come from around the world to be a part of this, the largest sporting event in the world. Scots wearing their kilts stood out, but one could see people from a plethora of countries, all sporting either their national dress or paraphernalia that identified them with the team they we there to support. It was like the entire world had gathered in one place, each choosing not to melt into the pot but rather to show off their national pride.
Somehow, I think that this is a scene that will be repeated one day when we gather together, as a single church and body, in then presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Am I saying that our national, cultural and ethnic divisions will be paraded publicly to divide and separateness? No, just the opposite, as we celebrate the fact that we are of one nation, one marked by being called "holy" by the Apostle Peter. Our unity in Christ supersedes any distinctions that may exist due to heritage or geography.
What a day that will be!
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