Chaplain’s Easter Message
Wigan Warriors wishes you all a very Happy Easter. Here is a message written by Club Chaplain, Glen Rickard.
“Light out of darkness”
I’m sure that most of you reading this will have a love and affinity with your own town or city. I love my hometown of Wigan. I fly the flag wherever I go. We are famous for our World Champion Rugby League team, FA Cup winning football team and famous also for our pies. I love pies!
No matter where we are from, we all encounter dark times. Finance issues, family issues, health, bereavement etc. Last year was a tough one for me, but it’s always possible to find hope when things go dark. Hope that light will appear! It usually does so take heart and don’t give up.
Never give up when times seem dark! Light can shine when we least expect. Never let hope fade. Never give in to despair. Things rarely work out as badly as we imagine. Winston Churchill said that he once met a very old man who said that he had had lots of trouble throughout his life, most of which never actually happened!
It’s also good to focus on what we have, not what we don’t have. Embrace the good things and the blessings that surround us. A friend of mine often sits, thinking about and counting his blessings. He is someone who has been through excruciating and crushing tragedy. Doing this helps him see light in what, for him, is still a dark time.
Never lose hope in your future: Viktor Frankl, a holocaust survivor, endured four concentration camps during World War 2. He commented that many who survived did so because they focused on some future purpose to survive and live for. These people battled day by day, in often freezing conditions, at the mercy of murderous guards because they saw something or someone in the future to survive for.
For me, the life of faith is full of challenges, difficulties, and trials but there are also times of victory to look back upon and to look forward to. That’s why I love the Christian story of Easter. It speaks of great hope. Light out of darkness. The Son of God (Jesus) was mocked and murdered then buried in a tomb. All hope gone. The Bible tells us that three days later Jesus was raised from the dead. It’s written that many witnessed the risen Christ. This is what Christians celebrate on Easter Sunday. My message is simple.
There is someone who can step into your dark space! Christ can transform any situation, even death, if we ask. Who knows, light in your
circumstances may be only days away! Don’t lose hope!
We as a club have bright hopes for the season ahead. I feel privileged to be part of such a great Club. The whole team, led by Matt Peet, are ambitious for more success. We appreciate the hopes that you carry for us, expressed by your continued support. We appreciate you and hope to do you proud in the season ahead.
Along with everyone at the Warriors, I wish you all a very happy Easter.
Glen Rickard.
