Then There Was Spain

Jul 24

Spain is the World Cup champion after defeating Argentina 1-0 on a goal in extra time Sunday. The win extends Spain’s unbeaten streak to a record 38 games (29 wins, 9 ties) and secured the country’s second World Cup title. On the other side of the ball, the match may have been the final World Cup appearance for Argentina legend Lionel Messi. France star Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot for most goals scored after finding the back of the net twice in the third-place game to bring his tournament total to 10.

Analysis and eternal perspective: The World Cup is unrivaled in many ways. Every four years, the world comes together around the world’s most popular sport to compete for national pride. This year’s tournament brought the world to North America and highlighted the game in a place that is the biggest economic market in the world (though still clearly not the location of the world’s best men’s soccer). While many Americans are avid soccer fans, many more became so for the six weeks of the tournament.

We as The Equipped family have had a regular conversation about how to use the World Cup to reach the nations for Jesus. Now, as teams and fans return to their respective home countries, let us reflect across all our varied nationalities on the ways in which we should carry out our common call to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19).

Finally, take a moment to reflect on the beauty of God’s creation that has been on display during the World Cup. All manner of people and cultures in a beautiful mix that punctuates the astounding truth that God has made us in His image and called us to His side!

Thann Bennett

Thann Bennett is the Founder and President of Every Good Work, which exists to equip Jesus followers for a life of impact. His weekly newsletter, The Equipped, helps Jesus followers engage current events through a lens of the True and the beautiful. Thann and his wife, Brooke, are co-Founders of A Fearless Life, which works to find and fund a family for every adoption-eligible foster child in America. Thann has more than two decades of high-level public policy experience, with a particular focus on the U.S. Congress and the United Nations. He is the author of In Search of the King and My Fame His Fame. Thann and Brooke live in southern Maryland with their three children: Jude, Gambrell, and Hope, as well as a host of farm animals. The Bennetts are longtime members of the National Community Church family in Washington, D.C.

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