Premier league of life is flourishing

Sheffield United's John Lundstram celebrates with his team mates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth at Bramall Lane on February 9, 2020 - the Blades won the game 2-1

The great thing about life’s premier league is anyone can be in it. It’s up for grabs. It’s no respecter of education, social standing, race or gender. If you want to be brilliant, shine like a star in the night sky, raise the bar or curve the ball - you can.

Whatever limits are on your talents, your body or your abilities, you’ve found the one place in life where there are no limits - when you can be as great as you want to be!

It sounds easier, though, than it actually is, and that’s why the premier league of life remains premier.

Dave Gilpin is one of the longest serving pastors in Sheffield. He leads Hope City Church that now
holds services online from 10am on Sundays — Dave Gilpin is one of the longest serving pastors in Sheffield. He leads Hope City Church that now holds services online from 10am on Sundays

There is a huge cost paid when someone puts the life of others above their own and that’s why so many find themselves in the lower leagues.

I get it. We’re bombarded by celebrity culture day and night that says popularity rules and if you find it, you’ll find the golden pot of happiness.

We’re bombarded by the need to climb the ladder of success, when success is all about how much money you earn and prestige you can gather.

These two pandemics are what keep so many way down in the pub league. Don’t get me wrong, many become rich and famous yet live far away from the way the beautiful game was ever meant to be played.

I do understand why league one and league two are so populated.

Outside the corona season, there are few accolades for people whose life is to become a human elevator, taking others from the lowlands of pain, to the highlands of relief.

There’s never been any Grammy Award for elevators.

But many, however, have found their place in the Championship. They do their bit. They love the beautiful game and want to exceed as much as they can, but wonder who will care for them if they put all they have into caring for others?

And that’s where faith begins. Not in what we can do for others, or for God, but what God can do for us. Jesus claims to know the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7), which is either ridiculous, or the forensic love of a ‘shepherd’ who cares about all of your needs, both small and large.

To know this love is not a precondition to joining the premier league, but it can certainly help.

Dave Gilpin is one of the longest serving pastors in Sheffield. He leads Hope City Church, The Megacentre, Bernard Road, which is currently holding its services online on Sundays, at 10am, at online.hopecity.church