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Bulletin 87 Date : 13th Feb 2007
The Successful Failure?

So it’s official. The world triple jump record holder and man of faith who once, like Eric Liddell, refused to perform athletics on Sundays as a witness to his faith – has now lost his faith. The Daily Mail web site has a sensitively written article about Jonathan and explains what has happened to this man who has become an icon and role-model for so many. Jonathan has resigned as presenter of Songs Of Praise and is reported by some to be experiencing marital difficulties because the rest of his family are staunch believers.

A close friend explained: "Jonathan felt he had to leave Songs Of Praise as he felt profoundly uncomfortable doing the programme with the way he now feels." Edwards's family has been devastated by his crisis of faith, especially his wife Alison, the daughter of an evangelist from the Hebrides.

I reflect upon reports like this with mixed emotions. On one hand there’s the natural reaction which says, ‘Oh dear, how can a man of such strong faith fall away so dramatically?’ On the other hand there’s that inner sense of relief that the struggles I and many others face are shared by high-profile figures like Jonathan.

I had a fascinating conversation about this with some friends at church after the morning service last Sunday. One of the things I shared was that Jonathan’s experience is by no means unique. It does not mean that he has lost his faith but more likely that the faith that served him well during his years as a world-class athlete has not matured enough (yet) to propel him to the next stage of his life.

I think of Simon Peter who showed enormous faith during the three years he was with Jesus but whose faith gave way in the courtyard during Jesus’ trial (Mark 15:66-72). I think of Elijah whose faith had sustained him in amazing acts of defiance against the prophets of Baal and who was transformed into a suicidal wreck afterwards when fleeing from the death threats by Jezebel (I Kings 18 & 19). The faith which was his bedrock in the earlier years needed to mature for his later ministry. He had to learn to beware of the ‘Earthquake, Wind and Fire Brigade’ (those who only believe God is active in the dramatic and sensational) and experience God through the ‘still, small voice’ (I Kings 19:12).

For some whose life has been at the forefront of Christian ministry, the transition at retirement to a back-seat role can be very challenging. For those who have been at the forefront of evangelism who suffer an illness which changes the way they live, the transition can be painful and they, like Elijah, need to discover God in a new way.

I recently reviewed a book entitled ‘Keep Going’ by Neil Martin where the author describes the experience of a Christian friend who sat in Church one Sunday morning asking himself the question, ‘does God really exist?’ My previous bulletins (74 – 77) looked at Stages of Faith and how our faith, if it is to sustain us throughout our life, must develop and grow, sometimes through painful experiences when it seems that all we ever believed is hollow.

We don't know the full truth behind the newspaper story but I'm sure that Jonathan Edwards, as a professional athlete, knew times during his gruelling training schedule when he asked himself, 'is it all worth it?' I pray that he, along with all those who struggle with their faith, will recognise that it is not about our ability to cling to God, but God’s ability to hold on to us which sustains us.

Daily Mail Article - no longer available!