Some of you know that I enjoy my football, and from time to time a certain wonderful Anfield-based club are mentioned in services. I just can’t help it. This Summer, there is no men’s World Cup or men’s Euros (the Lionesses of course do play the women’s Euros this summer, defending their title). So, in theory after a gruelling season of league football, domestic cups, European competitions and more, the men’s footballers should be able to have a rest.
And goodness me, with so many games every season and with fatigue, mental exhaustion often referred to in the modern game, don’t they need it?
That’s the theory. However, a new competition has started this Summer the ‘Club World Cup’ which is being held in the United States. It only involves a handful of English teams, but it’s faced significant criticism for having existed in the first place. Jürgen Klopp a superb manager of a certain wonderful Anfield-based club described it as “the worst idea ever”.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c994p92d5r1o
Another very fine manager, Pep Guardiola, whose side Man City are playing in it, recently said playing in the competition cold “destroy” them. When Klopp and Guardiola speak about football, people tend to listen. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/pep-guardiola-club-world-cup-destroy-man-cityb2779473.html
I have to be honest; I haven’t paid the least bit attention to the Club World Cup. I haven’t checked the fixtures, the scores, the results, or who’s doing what in the tournament. And I’ll let you in on a secret too – I am very happy about it! I don’t know if am missing out but frankly I don’t care either. I realise that actually it’s not just ridiculously over-paid footballers who need a break over the Summer from football.. I do too!
I really hope that this July and August can be a quieter time for all who need it. There will always be things going on that’s life but actually unlike those who control schedules of international football tournaments, we have the opportunity of making time for rest. We can set time aside for a break, for a pause, and maybe even- whisper it- do nothing sometimes.
Remember this from Genesis? “And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:2). If you spent more than a microsecond wondering quite how tired God might have been feeling after a busy six days, and why he needed a day off, then can I suggest that your microsecond was wasted? Instead, see that the writer of Genesis is carefully and deliberately placing rest, pause and peace into the fabric of God’s creation and into God’s very creative activity itself. And if that’s the case, then we could legitimately ask: is God delighted by exhausted people, worn-out with all the risks that entails? Or is God delighted by lives more rounded and balanced? suspect deep-down we know the answer.
So, with that restorative verse of Genesis in mind, have a lovely July and August everyone! Thank you to all the contributors to the Emmanuel Magazine, and especially to Gillian Wood and Margaret Bannister who have prepared it for us. May we all experience some relaxation over the weeks ahead, and may all our time be blessed by God.
Rev. Paul Tabraham
Excerpt taken from Emmanuel Magazine July/August 2025. The magazine, published ten times annually, features articles contributed or authored by our members. It includes a delightful blend of testimonials, devotions, book reviews, prayers, jokes, upcoming events, and more. Grab your copy of the latest magazine at the church foyer. If you prefer to receive a copy by mail or email, feel free to reach out to us.