International
20 September 07
The Great Assassin
Colin McRae, who has died this week in a helicopter accident at the age
of 39, will be remembered as one of Britain's greatest rally drivers.
McRae won the world title for Subaru in 1995, was runner-up on three
occasions. But he will not be remembered for the statistics of his
career. Instead, it was his attacking driving style that endeared him to
millions of fans the world over. His risk-taking style set him apart
from his rivals, and won him his legions of admirers, but it also meant
he did not win as many rallies - or world titles - as his talent
deserved.
The reach of McRae's reputation was such that, even four years after his
full-time career in the World Rally Championship was over, he was at the
time of his death still probably the most famous rally driver in the
world. Along with Englishman Richard Burns, who won the world title for
Subaru himself in 2001, he was at the head of a golden generation of
British rally driving talent, and they sparked renewed interest in the
sport in this country. Both men are now gone - Burns died in 2005 after
a long battle against a brain tumour - but their legacy remains.
Paying tribute to Burns after his death, McRae said: "He was a true
character in the world of rallying and will be sadly missed." It has
been said that those words apply equally to McRae himself.
What on earth does a Christian say about such a tragic, early death of a
great sportsman? What do you say when a tragedy happens in your sports
community. What does it tell us about God and us?
Jesus himself was pressed on such an issue in Luke 13:4-5 when a tower
fell and accidentally killed eighteen people in a town called Siloam. It
was probably all over the local news! His answer to the question as to
whether the people killed were more guilty and deserving of death than
anyone who survived was clear: ‘I tell you, no! But unless you repent,
you too will all perish’ (Luke 13:5). The dead were no worse or better
than the survivors, but those who lived should take note that though
they escaped today, there is a 100% certainty that all must meet their
Maker one day.
Why is this important as we consider Isaiah 55 this week? Because God
wants to give us eternal life and has sent his own Son as a servant to
die on the cross so that we may receive it. However, it can only be
received by personally seeking him while we have the opportunity.
The shock and horror of death is always a reminder to us of our own
mortality. We don’t know when the great assassin will come to our door.
But every tragedy is a reminder to each of us that we will all die and
stand before the judgment seat of Christ. If we really believe this what
else can we do but:
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7
Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him
turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he
will freely pardon.
If you haven’t repented before a Holy God, take this warning to do so
today, immediately. Get yourself right with God now.
If you have friends, team mates and family members who have not turned
to Christ, warn them today that another person’s tragedy will one day be
their own story when the great assassin captures them. Urge them to
‘seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near (v6);
urge them ‘that the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thought’
(v7). Remind them that if only they will ‘turn to the LORD, he will have
mercy on him …for he will freely pardon’ (v8).
If you really love them, warn them and tell them the truth that Christ
is their only hope and they should not delay any longer, before it’s too
late.
Graham
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