From Facebook pages to newspaper columns, from office parties to school events, from townships to the suburbs, South Africa is absolutely buzzing with ‘ayoba’ world cup fever. Once again, sport is showing its particular power to unite South Africans across their differences. Like the Rugby World Cup in ’95 and Soweto Saturday a few weeks ago, we have been collectively stunned, humbled and delighted at how the sheer joy of this moment brings South Africans closer together. It is amazing how the seemingly endless Malema/Terre’Blanche racial tensions of the last few months now seem a distant memory. The positive and life-giving attitude that this World Cup has engendered is actually an incredible opportunity for our country. After the ’95 Rugby event and all it achieved, we sadly lost momentum in the years afterwards, and should strive to learn from that experience by refusing to waste this one.
Of course, we would be foolish to believe that a sporting event can solve all our deep-rooted social, political and economic problems, but we would be equally foolish to not make the most of the momentum and fresh energy this one has lent us. One of the ways we can best do this is by carefully learning our lessons – by assessing exactly what it is that has brought our country such unity, joy and freedom. Of course vuvuzelas, bright clothing, street parties, public holidays and great sporting moments all help greatly, but underpinning these are crucial and life-giving truths that seem somehow God-inspired. It is my belief that these truths are acting as foundations to the event itself, and are fundamental reasons (other than the list above) as to why we are in such a good place at the moment.
The first of these is best summed up in one of the world cup songs ‘Make the circle bigger,’ (or 'beega') which if you think about it has a lot of theological significance. Just that one line of course, I am not so sure about the rest of it, but it certainly has one of those tunes that get stuck in your head and promises never to leave. A good friend of mine, Roger Scholtz, summed up the significance of this line when he recently wrote, “’making the circle bigger’ is precisely what the love and grace of God is all about.” Jesus was remarkable for the way he actively sought out the people on the margins of Jewish society in his day (prostitutes, tax collectors, gentiles) and befriended them. Unfortunately, the church has often forgotten this vital aspect of Jesus’ mission, but moments like this World Cup are a timely reminder that God is always wanting us to make “the circle bigger” – to include in our fellowship those who are left on the outside of society.
Scripture teaches that God created humanity for acts of compassion, both large and small. Love and relationship are the great truths upon which God founded the universe and when we practice them radically by ‘widening our circles’ through acts of gracious inclusion and warm hospitality, well then we begin to spark into life part of our own reason for being. Something ‘clicks’ within us and we ourselves become ‘bigger' as a result; we become more somehow - more human, more full, more free. Viva God's circle!
Of course, it is easy to practice these truths in moments of great celebration when everyone is filled with excitement and anticipation. Where the rubber really hits the road is to maintain them as an essential part of the fabric of our society when times become tough, and the headlines are once again dominated by greedy politicians and criminals rather than sport. Yet, if we do hold onto them, both in big and small ways, as individuals and as a nation, then we can become part of something that is even more exciting than a Soccer World Cup. Having a World Cup in South Africa is a once in a life-time event, but holding onto and living out these great truths will last us a life-time.