Pienaar keeps God in the football spotlight

Posted by  ·  1 visitor comment

Steven Pienaar’s late equalizer for Everton in their thrilling 4-4 draw with Man Utd this weekend, not only kept Man City’s title hopes alive but also kept God in the footballing spotlight.

Footballer Steven Pienaar celebrates his late equalizer

The plight of Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba who suffered a cardiac arrest last month during an FA Cup match against Tottenham, leading to the Sun having the words- “God is in control” on their front cover, and Aston Villa Skipper Stilyan Petrov being diagnosed with Leukemia, has got football fans thinking about God.

Prayers have been uttered for both men across the World as soccer lovers from Britain to Brazil stood with the two stricken heroes.

Then, after scoring an 85th minute equalizer the 30 year-old South African midfielder, currently on loan with the Toffees from Spurs, pulled up his shirt to reveal the words- “ God is great ”- a gesture Pienaar has done on more than one occasion.

Pienaar has experienced God’s greatness in his own life-  growing up in Westbury- a dangerous township on the edge of  Johannesburg, where gang violence, drug dealing and shooting were rife, he used to watch television on the floor rather than the couch, in case he got shot.

He told an interviewer: “One thing that sticks in my mind is watching television on the floor. We had a couch, but I wasn’t allowed on it, because you never knew when a bullet was going to come flying in through the window. If you were on the floor, you were below the level of the glass and safe. If you were on the couch you were taking your life in your hands, and there were stories of people who had been hit by stray bullets.”

He also lost his best friend due to the violence there; but God protected him from the daily dangers he faced there and his mothers’ influence, hard work and faith saw him become a star who is ready to acknowledge his gratitude to God.

24th April

April 24th, 2012 - Posted & Written by

Thumbs Down 0
Thumbs Up 0

Did you find this article useful?

1 Visitor Comment

Join in the Eden community and comment on this article

Gaz Gibbons

Gaz Gibbons

Posts: 7

It's great to see 'celebs' and role models being bold about their faith. Great item.

Wednesday, 2nd May 2012 at 11:19PM

Reply to this comment

0 Thumbs Down
0 Thumbs Up

Did you find this comment useful?

Leave A Comment

Leave your comments or suggestions in regards to this article.

Please login to post a comment.
Most Popular Articles
Prayer Books Every Christian Should Read
Posted on Monday 15th of January
New Lent Bible Study Guides 2024
Posted on Monday 15th of January
LENT COURSES - How to choose the right one for you
Posted on Monday 15th of January
When is Easter 2024?
Posted on Friday 5th of January
Christian Christmas Cards
Posted on Friday 20th of October
Prayer Books Every Christian Should Read
Posted on Monday 15th of January
New Lent Bible Study Guides 2024
Posted on Monday 15th of January
LENT COURSES - How to choose the right one for you
Posted on Monday 15th of January
When is Easter 2024?
Posted on Friday 5th of January
Christian Christmas Cards
Posted on Friday 20th of October
LENT COURSES - How to choose the right one for you
Posted on Monday 15th of January
New Advent Study Guides
Posted on Monday 16th of October
Where to Watch the New C.S. Lewis Film
Posted on Thursday 12th of May
Free Christian Resources for Children
Posted on Friday 1st of May
The Eden Bible Guide series
Posted on Monday 17th of February
Recent Article Comments

Nia Wright has made 0 posts.

34 useful comments

A Reader has made 70 posts.

28 useful comments

Les Ellison has made 44 posts.

11 useful comments

James Warwood has made 4 posts.

9 useful comments

Lyn Myers has made 5 posts.

8 useful comments

Last updated: 2 days15 hrs41 mins ago