“Who Are Ya!?” spout Spurs fans to rub salt in Manchester Utd players’ wounds after their 3 – 0 drubbing. Meanwhile Leicester City continue their relentless rise from near relegation last season to English Premiership champions come May, 7 points clear with 5 games to play. With odds of 5,000 / 1 bold Leicester fans, who took a punt back in August, are set to become richer along with their valiant ‘David over Goliath’ heroes.

“Who Are Ya Jordan Spieth!?” come the cruel cries of Spieth’s demons as he relives again and again his seismic splash at Augusta’s ‘Amen Corner’. By putting 2 golf balls in the drink he relinquished a 5 shot lead to allow Yorkshire and Rotherham’s ‘Danny Willett’ to win his first Major and don the famous Green Jacket.

“Who Are Ya Danny Willett!?” Well, he was a dad and husband before a US Masters Winner, and had days old son ‘Zachariah James’ not come early, and wife Nicole given birth on her due date of 10th April, Danny was resolved to stay at home with his family. As it is he is now both dad and Masters’ winner. Interestingly, Danny has 3 brothers and is son to a maths teacher mum and retired vicar dad, whom he describes as his best psychologist.

Who Are Ya Justin Welby!?” Can you imagine your feelings on learning that your dad wasn’t your real dad? With refreshing honesty and vulnerability, The Arch Bishop of Canterbury ‘Justin Welby’, revealed that, while his childhood with alcoholic parents was traumatic his identity ‘In Christ’ as a ‘child of God’ has helped him to cope with disclosure that the late Sir Anthony Montague Browne was biological father.

Life can throw grenades and time bombs our way and some times we can be our own worst enemy, but it your primary and most important relationships are what will best define you and determine how you cope with ‘life’s earth-shakers’. Being a spouse, a parent, an offspring, a sibling, a friend, a neighbour, a colleague, etc are all important in helping me grow in my identity. Nearest and dearest are especially critical to our wellbeing and hope for the future ‘when the proverbial hits the air conditioning’. I’m right with Welby in his his deepest and truest self-understanding. In a recent personal statement, he writes,

“This revelation has, of course, been a surprise, but in my life and in our marriage Caroline and I have had far worse. I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes. Even more importantly my role as Archbishop makes me constantly aware of the real and genuine pain and suffering of many around the world, which should be the main focus of our prayers. Although there are elements of sadness, and even tragedy in my father’s (Gavin Welby’s) case, this is a story of redemption and hope from a place of tumultuous difficulty and near despair in several lives. It is a testimony to the grace and power of Christ to liberate and redeem us, grace and power which is offered to every human being.”

In the midst of life’s ‘Mess’ and despite the demon ‘Who Are Ya’s!?’ which attempt to undermine, I pray that you will know how very much God loves you and the very best He wants to give you through Jesus Christ. There are no illegitimate children ‘In Christ’ and such love helps us make vital life choices. I don’t know how close to God ‘Danny Willett’ is, but I’m chuffed that he chose to be a faithful dad and husband before becoming the golf world’s toast today! And I pray that ensuing fame won’t distract him from the primary relationships which ground and make him ‘who he really is’.