1982 - Gerry Armstrong and Alex Higgins. 1985 - Barry McGuigan and Dennis Taylor. 2010 - Graeme McDowell. And now 2011 - Rory McIlroy. All of these are names I will remember from my lifetime as representing great sporting achievements from N. Ireland. I don't remember Mary Peters' triumph and I didn't see George Best at his peak.
Rory's achievement ranks as one of the best for me and there are a number of reasons for that. For late night/early morning drama it compares to Taylor holding his nerve to pot that final black against Steve Davis, although of course Rory's victory was a lot more comfortable than that nerve shreddng night in 1985. For the background story of coming back from that horrible final round at Augusta where we watched one of our sporting heroes come apart at the seams it was simply a joy to watch. For the recognition that some times nice guys (and Rory seems to be one of the nice guys) do come first it was very satisfying. It was both funny and emotional to see him half-apologise for not buying a Father's Day gift as he presented his dad with the US Open Golf trophy.
Maybe this one is closer to home for me as well because I grew up in the same town as Rory and went to the same school as Rory. Of course, we were a considerable number of years apart. When Rory was swinging his plastic clubs as a two year old I was doing my A-levels.
But I think that one of the reasons why this has been so tear-jerkingly enjoyable is because of the wee country that we come from. Many of those bright sporting moments that I mentioned at the beginning came in the context of some of the darkest days of our history. Rory McIlroy has known very little of the deep darkness of the Troubles in his 22 years and he represents a post-Troubles generation that are not held back by the history of this place. Many people of my generation couldn't wait to leave this place. Rory can't wait to get back. Perhaps that sums up what has changed between the time I was 22 and now.
We still have our difficulties. There is still darkness out there on our streets and the destruction of another promising young life in the murder of PC Ronan Kerr should remind us that there is still some way to go. We are at the beginning of another marching season when there is the potential for N. Ireland's name to be broadcast around the world for all the wrong reasons again. Rory McIlroy has given us a reason to be cheerful and a reason to be (in the right sense) proud. Don't let's waste it. Let's enjoy it.
I hope that over the years to come he keeps giving us those moments although none will be as emotional and wonderful as his first major victory in Maryland. Don't put him on a pedestal that he will inevitably topple off some day. Just let him be what he is - an incredibly talented sportsman, with a good attitude to victory and defeat - someone we will support and be proud of but who we won't worship or idolise.
Over the last few days people have made mention of Rory's God-given talent. Wouldn't it be great if people really meant what they said? Wouldn't it be great if those same commentators and journalists actually took a moment to say thank you to a God who gives human beings skill to invent and discover and yes, provide enjoyment to millions of others? I don't know if this is an example of God's common grace but perhaps it is and maybe we should be thankful that in the midst of a dark and difficult world we can share in some good news born and bred in 'our wee country'.
Monday 20 June 2011
Thursday 9 June 2011
Thoughts at the end of General Assembly week
I have been trying to process some of my thoughts and feelings at the end of this week's General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. I think the best thing I can do is to state how I felt at different points and why.
On Tuesday I felt proud (in the right way I hope) to be associated with a Board of our Church (Youth and Children's) that was commended for its creativity, vision and inspiration. It has been a privilege to play a part in this board over the last seven years and it is a time which I will look back on with considerable fondness having stepped down as convener of the Resources Committee of the Board this week.
During the debate on the Presbyterian Mutual Society on Wednesday I felt grateful to God that he had brought our church through a crisis that could have so severely damaged our witness on this island. There are still lessons to be learned but there is much to be thankful to God for. Not least we Presbyterians should be thankful to God for providing us with a small group of committed and faithful people who have steered us carefully and sensitively through this difficult time.
That gratitude was replaced on the same afternoon with a feeling of real sadness as we discussed our church's response to the Church of Scotland's decison regarding the ordination of those involved in same sex relationships. I am in no doubt that the appeal which we made to the 'Kirk' to return to scriptural orthodoxy was absolutely right. I am sad that it was necessary. I firmly believe that this is not, at its heart, a matter to do with how we respond to homosexuality in the church, but rather it is about our attitude to the authority of Scripture over the church. I have said in other places that I would rather the battle over scriptural truth was being fought in another area but this is the area in which it has come to us and we must be prepared to take our stand on the life-giving word of God while still trying to work out how to reach out pastorally and missionally to those living with same-sex attraction.
I have also felt challenged this week as I have listened to that same life-giving word being preached by our moderator and three other ministers of our church. My vision of God has been enlarged. My confidence in God's infinite resources has been strengthened. My complacency when it comes to building relationships with those who are different from me has been confronted. I am grateful to all those who preached this week.
My final feeling at the end of this week is that the reformed, evangelical witness on display this week in the General Assembly can still be a real force for good and for God in this island. New challenges may face the church of the 21st century but new opportunities for mission and kingdom building are right here on our doorstep.
These are my thoughts. Those of you who weren't there or aren't Presbyterian might not be interested. Those of you who were there may have different thoughts but I hope that however you feel as you leave the assembly week behind you have a renewed confidence in the word as life for all who will hear and respond.
On Tuesday I felt proud (in the right way I hope) to be associated with a Board of our Church (Youth and Children's) that was commended for its creativity, vision and inspiration. It has been a privilege to play a part in this board over the last seven years and it is a time which I will look back on with considerable fondness having stepped down as convener of the Resources Committee of the Board this week.
During the debate on the Presbyterian Mutual Society on Wednesday I felt grateful to God that he had brought our church through a crisis that could have so severely damaged our witness on this island. There are still lessons to be learned but there is much to be thankful to God for. Not least we Presbyterians should be thankful to God for providing us with a small group of committed and faithful people who have steered us carefully and sensitively through this difficult time.
That gratitude was replaced on the same afternoon with a feeling of real sadness as we discussed our church's response to the Church of Scotland's decison regarding the ordination of those involved in same sex relationships. I am in no doubt that the appeal which we made to the 'Kirk' to return to scriptural orthodoxy was absolutely right. I am sad that it was necessary. I firmly believe that this is not, at its heart, a matter to do with how we respond to homosexuality in the church, but rather it is about our attitude to the authority of Scripture over the church. I have said in other places that I would rather the battle over scriptural truth was being fought in another area but this is the area in which it has come to us and we must be prepared to take our stand on the life-giving word of God while still trying to work out how to reach out pastorally and missionally to those living with same-sex attraction.
I have also felt challenged this week as I have listened to that same life-giving word being preached by our moderator and three other ministers of our church. My vision of God has been enlarged. My confidence in God's infinite resources has been strengthened. My complacency when it comes to building relationships with those who are different from me has been confronted. I am grateful to all those who preached this week.
My final feeling at the end of this week is that the reformed, evangelical witness on display this week in the General Assembly can still be a real force for good and for God in this island. New challenges may face the church of the 21st century but new opportunities for mission and kingdom building are right here on our doorstep.
These are my thoughts. Those of you who weren't there or aren't Presbyterian might not be interested. Those of you who were there may have different thoughts but I hope that however you feel as you leave the assembly week behind you have a renewed confidence in the word as life for all who will hear and respond.
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