Tomorrow sees the start of a new year, 2022

Perhaps this year you’re eagerly awaiting something exciting, a tournament your club hopes to win, or a big event you’re building up to compete in. Or perhaps it feels a bit like Groundhog Day as Covid-19 restrictions yet again threaten sporting activity. Are you eagerly awaiting something to come in 2022, or is it just another year?

The Bible speaks of a coming of something, someone, eagerly waited for, in fact hundreds of years before their coming Isaiah predicted it:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9v2

To the Jewish nation, under Roman occupancy, the coming of a saviour was eagerly awaited by many. A saviour who would bring light to their dark situation. Jesus came to be that light; he says in John 8v12:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus claims to bring light, and lasting life, into a world that desperately needs it. What does this mean for us at the start of a new year? The Bible shows us that a light dawned as Jesus was born into this world, and that light is lasting.

Radically, as those within whom the Holy Spirit dwells, we are told that we have been made lights in this world. We’re called to go and shine, to show others Jesus - the light of the world. As you go into the world of sport in 2022, will you shine as God’s light?