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The pews were a little emptier a couple of Sundays ago as 8000 people travelled south for Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s heroic performance against Aberdeen in the Scottish League Cup final,

Throughout the day, Christian friends posted messages on Facebook about their sense of community, and their joy even in defeat – didn’t the boys do well!

I did hear of some comments back in Inverness churches about the commitment of those who, lured by the Celtic Park event, had absented themselves from worship.

Certainly, attending football on Sunday does rather go against traditional Highland ideas about the sanctity of the first day of the week. ‘Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,’ says one of those ’10 commandments’ which Jews and Christians believe are timeless instructions given for the good of God-focussed communities.

But the ‘Sabbath’ in the first part of the Bible was Saturday. Are we right to apply that commandment to Sunday, the Christian ‘special day’? Many Christians see the ‘sabbath’, the ‘day of rest’ as a symbol of the freedom which we have as God’s people. We realise we don’t need to struggle and strive to make ourselves good enough for God, because God accepts us because of what Jesus has done for us.

The whole of life is therefore a kind of ‘sabbath’, when we entrust ourselves to God. And so the commandment applies to all of life – live constantly in the presence of God, at peace and secure in God.

Unusually for his time, David Livingstone did not keep Sunday as a different kind of day, thinking always of the miles he would not travel if he took one day in seven off. Another take on the Sabbath commandment is as a reminder of the need for rhythms of work and rest. If, as Livingstone often was, we are too task-driven, we lose the freedom of resting in God, for we need space, for refreshment, and for fun too.

I’m pretty sure my Christian friends who were at the big match would see it as a God-given, therapeutic break from routine.

A work colleague was there. ‘Pure people’s theatre!’ she exclaimed glowingly on Monday morning. If some people see football as community drama, others regard it as community religion.

Some of the key aspects of supporting a team: a sense of community with fellow fans; a sense of personal identity which you take into all situations – ‘I’m a Caley Thistle supporter!’; a commitment, bordering on devotion, to following the team; a shared celebration of achievement – the cheering on the terraces; a shared sense of mission – to win the match, to lift the cup, to top the league; a sense that the team represent the supporters – each step, each header, each attempt at goal, each breath taken on our behalf.

These are experiences to which all of us are drawn as human beings, and Christians believe that their ultimate expression is found in Christian faith, where God is the ultimate goal; Jesus the representative who on our behalf faced down darkness by allowing it to embrace him; and the Holy Spirit the builder of community, who gives identity, prompts team working, breathes a powerful joy through us on the terraces of life, and inspires us as we work and struggle together to shine light in dark places.

Looking at the similarities between football and faith, many Christians warn us wisely of the danger of losing sight of Father, Son and Spirit and seeking identity, fulfilment and community through football, or the many other good-in-themselves, or not so good-in-themselves activities which can become for us a poor, substitute religion.

But it’s also true that to find the joy of community by throwing ourselves into something good like football at its best is to be nudged a little towards the God who is the giver of all good things wherever they are found, and who whispers through them ‘There is more, I promise you, there is more!’

And all this challenges us as Christians. Is there a problem if we are more enthusiastic about Caley Thistle than about God? Are we enjoying the liberation and rest of entrusting ourselves to God’s care? Are we learning to discern beyond all good things the God who sees and rejoices in our happiness, but calls us to that deep, timeless joy which both sets us free to enjoy more lasting happiness, and upholds us when our hearts are torn apart?

That Sunday, it seemed most of Inverness was supporting ICT. Which gives pause for thought. Do we love God, not only when things are going well, but in the hard, dark times of struggle? And when we fail do we, as Caley Thistle are doing, lift our eyes and welcome the next challenge?

(Christian Viewpoint column from the Highland News dated 27th March 2014)