Nevin Spence 1990-2012 - Safe in the arms of Jesus

Death is a great interrupter.  It intrudes and intervenes in the most obnoxious of manners.  It is not part of the world God made and therefore is rightly called "an enemy."  It is unwelcome in our lives, as we deal with the grief, questions, pain and sorrow that death inevitably brings.

This weekend, the world of rugby was stunned by news of the tragic passing of 22 year old rising Ulster star, Nevin Spence, along with his father, Noel and 30 year old brother, Graham.  In what seems to be an horrific faming incident, it appears the three men were killed whilst trying to rescue the family dog (and then each other) from a slurry tank.  Spence's sister, Emma, who was also involved in the incident is being treated for effects of fume inhalation.

As both a rugby fan and someone with Northern Irish connections (my wife is from Ulster), the tragedy feels particularly close to home.  As with the wider Ulster and rugby community, my thoughts and prayers are with the Spence family.  We grieve the loss of these men, and particularly as we are aware of them through the evident talents of Nevin on the rugby field.

However, in the midst of real sadness and grief, and in the midst of the many questions, there is something (or rather someone) that makes a difference.  In an Irish Times article at the end of last year, Nevin described his faith in Jesus.  "Listen, I'm making as many mistakes as you or anybody in the street, I suppose I just have to hold up my hands about it.  I'm not perfect, I don't want to be put on a pedestal as I know my own limitations."

He admitted at school, he drifted away from the Christian upbringing he had.  "I don't think it's too unusual.  I suppose I went off the rails.  I don't mean I was into drugs or anything like that, but I turned my back on Christianity, but something was always pulling me back."

Nevin was involved with a local Baptist church in rural Northern Ireland and was known as a Christian in both the squad and the wider rugby community.  Talking of being a Christian at Ulster rugby club, he said "The Ulster team is a great place to be a Christian.  It's funny, Paul Marshall (Ulster half-back) and I would help each other at training, if we catch each other swearing or whatever, it's just good to know we're looking out for each other."  

Whilst the death of a promising rugby player at just 22 is unquestionably a tragedy, the fact that Nevin had trusted in Jesus to take him through life and into eternity means that our grief for Nevin is not without hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring those have died 'in Him' with Jesus when He returns. 

For the Christian, we do not avoid obvious grief and sadness, neither do we ignore it.  Rather, we acknowledge the pain and tears, the separation and suffering, but we also look forward to the day when  God will "wipe away every tear from (his people's) eyes", when "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away". 

Nevin was trusting in Jesus.  This simple old hymn is the kind of trust and hope that Christians have in the face of death and tragedy.

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe from corroding care,

Safe from the world’s temptations, sin cannot harm me there.

Free from the blight of sorrow, free from my doubts and fears;

Only a few more trials, only a few more tears!

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast

There by His love o’ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.

Jesus, my heart’s dear Refuge, Jesus has died for me;

Firm on the Rock of Ages,ever my trust shall be.

Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is over;

Wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore.

Do you have a similar trust in Jesus both in life and for eternity?  

The Pain & The Glory - Dan Carter & RWC 2011

Bill Shankly, the former Liverpool Football Club manager allegedly once said

"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death...I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."

Shankly's quote suggests the importance many people place on sport. Here in NZ, there is no doubting that. Each night, our 6pm TV news has 10 minutes of sporting news, and one of the consistent comments visitors to these shores make is about our obsession with sport.

Writing about this weekend's news of Dan Carter's groin injury and the impact it has on him & the All Blacks' squad & our whole nation, Brian Moore, the former England hooker said "It is a remarkable experience to be in a country where the entire mood is genuinely swayed by this type of sports news; you cannot grasp it and probably will not believe it unless you are actually in New Zealand." DC is a legend, and obviously, the team will miss his presence, experience, all round play & specifically, his kicking abilities.

Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of spending time close up with two well-known players for teams in the Rugby World Cup. Both played a significant part in their team's efforts, both have had the unfortunate experience of not making it beyond pool play. Having chatted with both, prior to matches and then after the big matches, it has been a unique insight for me into the pain and the glory that professional sport brings.

Of course, we all know that sport has highs and lows - that's part of its attraction. If it were not for the victories and the glory, would we take part? But along with these comes the possibility of defeat and maybe even shame or pain.

As I watched and listened to these two top pros talk about and live out their Rugby World Cup experience and their professional careers, both exemplified a balanced perspective on the place of sport in their lives. Sure, both would have loved to have been there on October 23rd at Eden Park - neither will be. Without doubt, both felt real pain, sadness and disappointment (one describing it as "gut-wrenching"), but both were aware life is much more than a game (or 48 games) of rugby.

Jesus once said to a person wanting his brother to give him a portion of the inheritance to "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Whilst he was talking specifically about material possessions, there is a danger that the immaterial possessions - the fame, the glory, the power, the honour, which all could come with a RWC win become our be all and end all. Jesus says "Watch out!"

The stand-out difference with the two players was their perspective that whatever the outcome, in victory or defeat, glory or shame, that their life was about much more than this. Both players exemplified a life where a relationship with Jesus is more important than anything else.

How then do I react when Dan Carter injures his groin and thus ends his Rugby World Cup? With the disappointment and sadness the rest of the country shares. With real empathy for him, as I can't imagine how he'll really be feeling. But also with a sense of balance...it is only a game. In life, there are things far more important than this. Even Bill Shankly would have to admit that - events like the Hillsborough disaster, the Pike River tragedy, Christchurch & Japan 2011 show there are more important things in life than just sport. Don't get me wrong, I love sport and will be cheering the ABs all the way, but if they lose, if they fail, or even if they win, there is a more important relationship I have and treasure.