Coleraine, there is a statue of a man named Bertie Peacock. The
inscription under his name reads, “Sportsman. Statesman.
Gentleman.” Bertie was a footballer for Coleraine’s team, and led
them to their first Irish Cup victory about halfway through his
career. He received awards and acclaim for his contributions both as
a player and later as a coach. He passed away in 2004, and the
statue was erected in 2007.
Football in the UK is a big
deal. We know it as soccer, the elementary schooler’s introduction
to the world of team sports. It’s not nearly as popular in the
States as American football is, but on the other side of the pond,
it’s a way of life. Games are broadcast on big screens in pubs, and
fans cluster in jerseys around a few pints.
the memory of Bertie. He may very well have been a highly
influential player and coach during his life, I don’t know. But I
wonder: how many Colerainians have been to more than thirty games?
How many of those same have been to church this past year other than
Christmas and Easter?
man and athlete, but that’s all he was. A man; an athlete. He may
be commemorated in stone in the town centre, but he was just a man.
He wasn’t divine.
How often do we put people
on pedestals instead of God? What causes that need to put someone or
something above the one who molded us? The problem with pedestals is
that whatever is on them will inevitably fail us. People will
disappoint us. Even your best friends and family members are
fallible and will let you down at some point. If we place material
things on that pedestal, we’re setting ourselves up for
dissatisfaction. After all, how many people do you know who go to
the Apple store every time a new iPhone hits the market?
In my experience (and I can
only speak for myself), God’s the only one who’s been deserving of
that spot on a pedestal. That’s not to say I haven’t tried to
replace Him. But each attempt to knock Him off just makes me realize
how much He deserves that honor. And that includes the many times I
have tried to put myself on that elevation.
an amazing man, but he wasn’t God. I may be stating the obvious, but
sometimes it’s hardest to pay attention to what is staring you right
in the face.
