In the final episode of Freddie Flintoff’s ‘Field of Dreams’ series two, we watched as his young team played and lost to a more experienced team on a world class pitch in India before they travelled home. It has become apparent, as the programmes progressed that cricket itself became the medium by which these young men grew in confidence and self awareness. They became able to reflect on themselves and their lives honestly and able to plan their futures realistically.
They felt listened and valued. One lad joined the team just for the tour, when original members had to back out since they were of Pakistani origin and so were unable to get visas to enter India. His cricket skills soon became evident. He confided to Freddie that, although he had played cricket when younger, he had stopped because he had been bullied because of it and this opportunity had re-kindled the love he felt for the sport.
He was chosen to be coach for one day. Even though he was a newcomer, and one might think the others might consider him an imposter, they respected his input and did him proud. He was surprised at how they responded to his instructions, the whole experience building him up so much so that he has a desire to go on to train to be a cricket coach. Freddie encouraged him in this, praising the way he worked and the results he achieved and pledging his support in the future.
In an interview to camera, the lad said how life changing the whole experience had been. Admitting that Freddie was a life long hero of his, he said that to have your hero have faith in you and support you made all the difference.
As Christians, it is amazing to think that our hero Jesus encourages and supports us, building us up, multiplying our talents if we use them for His work. At the end of our lives, our prayer is that He will acknowledge our service with ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’ What an amazing Saviour we have!