One of the highlights of my week is to watch Freddie Flintoff’s ‘Field of Dreams’ TV programme. I’ve come late to cricket, but don’t be put off watching this if you’re not a cricket fan. It’s really not about cricket. Cricket is the reason for getting the young men together into a team but it’s about the chemistry that happens through that fusion through the catalyst of Flintoff, that makes for the best possible television.
Nine diverse lads from deprived backgrounds, selected for an Indian tour, most of whom hadn’t got passports, let alone travelled before, gel together in an amazing way. So much so that several choose to fast in empathy with one of the Muslim boys. Not everything runs smoothly. Freddie gives them one rule when they set off,’ To be on time’ and it’s the one thing that causes him heartache when they regularly fail to turn up on time for breakfast. It seems that since creation, humans aren’t good at keeping the rules, even if there’s only one.
They see the upset that brings Freddie. He mentions it but doesn’t shout about it, he just takes himself away for a shower allowing the boys time. They get together and discuss how much he has done for them and resolve to make it up to him, resulting in the best afternoon of training so far. Not just in physical achievement but in working together as a team.
There’s a lot we as Christians can learn from this excellent programme. We are all diverse and make mistakes. We need to realise the sacrifice Jesus made for us, be really sorry when we let Him down and want to obey His commands. We need to be mindful of our co-workers and empathise with their sufferings and experiences, come alongside them and instead of judging, walk in their shoes with them.
If you haven’t watched this programme, please do.