Fighting Principalities

Principality Stadium

I was thinking this morning.... about Principality. Yes, Principality. But before you start binding, please hear my reason. As I drove into the office Monday morning with work on my mind, listening to the Morning Sports Drive on 92.3 FM, the presenter spoke about the upcoming fight between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker. Since boxing is not my thing, I gave the news no much thought until it was mentioned that the fight will take place at the 'Principality Stadium' in Wales. 'Principality Stadium' ke? 'Why would a Joshua and a Joseph choose to fight in the arena for principalities?' I had thought. I recalled that stadium fire of 1958 in England that caused the death of 56 spectators. Could that have been caused by the principality at the stadium?

 

It seems ironic that Joseph and Joshua will ignore 'Stadium of Lights' of Sunderland FC or even 'St Mary's Stadium' in Southampton both in England and chose 'Principality Stadium.' As I wondered if really the stadium was meant for principalities, I found out that the stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in Cardiff and was originally called The Millennium Stadium until 2016 when it was renamed 'Principality Stadium' after Welsh Rugby Union announced a 10-year sponsorship deal with the Principality Building Society.

 

While I care not if a Building Society calls itself Principality, it takes a whole new meaning if a stadium is called Principality Stadium. Little wonder, that because SC Rheindorf Altach stadium in Austria, named after a sports betting brand is called 'Cashpoint Arena,' it was rumored that you need a pin number to get access to the stadium. What about the 'Bargain Booze Stadium' of Witton Albion in England, named after a discount alcohol brand? They got so drunk and couldn't sustain the name beyond a couple of seasons.

 

But why do we interpret a name with the simple and sometimes singular understanding we have without checking? The only understanding I had of 'principality' is what the Bible says in Ephesians 6:12, 'For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.' Therefore to most people, principality is synonymous with dark powers. So my initial thought of Joshua and Joseph fighting at the 'Principality Stadium' had a spiritual connotation, until I discovered that 'Principality' also means 'the territory, jurisdiction or state ruled by a prince.'

 

With that understanding, it dawned on me that with so many Nigerians having the prefix 'Prince' before their names, we must be a nation of principalities. So, the next time you set out to war against 'principalities,' be certain you are doing so with understanding.

Happy Sunday.

.....Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey.