PARALYMPIC PARADIGMS

 
A few days ago, along with hundreds of millions of people around the world, I watched the final day of the London 2012 Paralympic athletics programme. I witnessed individuals with some of the most severe disabilities known, push themselves to the limit of their physical capability.

A typical response to this kind of display is often pity. Sometimes, it's ridicule or insult. As I watched these athletes compete, I couldn't help but think that if any pity was called for, it ought to rest squarely on the shoulders of us 'normal' people spectating, before it could ever rightfully be directed towards any Paralympian.

INTEGRITY - WHO AND WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?

I was thinking the other day about a couple of moments in my life that gave me a glimpse of the kind of person I desire to be. I dunno, I'm guessing we all have these kinds of experiences at some point or another? Not to say that I'm doing these ideals justice a whole lot of the time. God knows I fail dismally, regularly. Be that as it may, the fact remains that these moments were for me, indicative of traits and virtues that are worth aspiring to.

EMBARRASSED MUCH?

It was a lovely, sunny afternoon. A good friend of mine in high school was playing in a provincial tennis tournament. This guy was good. I took my place in the stands among a multitude of others looking forward to enjoying a competitive game on a gorgeous day. My friend was down on the tennis court practising some of his strokes before the big match. Suddenly, he notices me in the stands and motions for me to make my way down to him to exchange a few rallies before his official opponent arrives. Pretty neat stuff I say! Forget about pathetic name dropping and vague associations. Now this whole crowd of people was going to see that I was close friends with this tennis prodigy. Most excellent! I eagerly made my way down to the court and happily started enjoying some rallies with my popular friend. Nevermind that my tennis skills weren't worth blowing your nose with. I cared not. What mattered was that everyone was watching me being all casual and cozy with this provincial tennis star. Ah yes...life was indeed so good.

After a few minutes my friend suggests we change sides. No problem. At this point I found myself faced with a simple choice: To either walk around the net like a normal person and uneventfully make my way to the opposite end of the tennis court, or to take this opportunity to dazzle my friend and not to mention this significant crowd, by gracefully leaping over the aforementioned net to the sound of enthusiastic applause. The choice sold itself of course. A graceful leap was the only option. I poised myself as I watched my friend making his way around the tennis net like a clumsy neanderthal. I took a deep breath and bolted full speed toward it. I remember that landmark moment as if it was yesterday. A powerful leap commences, as does the smug smirk that accompanies it. A crowd watches enthralled as time slows to a crawl. Athleticism is showcased as... Hmmm, what's this? A slight hindrance imposes itself upon my elegantly trailing back foot? The very same back foot that entirely succeeds in getting itself tagged on the net line, catapulting this optimistic showman face first onto a tennis court. Just as he imagined, a roaring sound does erupt from a friend and a crowd. This sound is however unmistakably unlike the kind he was keen on invoking. And so there the disgraced little showman lies, intimately acquainted with the taste of dirt while hundreds of people belly-laugh at the top of their lungs...their jubilant exclamations filling the heavens for what felt like an eternity.

The recollection of that infamous exploit of mine always reminds me of what an exceptionally wise man said a few millenia ago. Something about how pride comes before a fall. And how fortunate I am to have such a vivid and personal image to remind me of those prudent words. Pride it turns out, is one subtle, sneaky and ever-present gremlin. Just when you've thought yourself to have conquered it, you find yourself feeling smug and proud about how humble you've become. It is perhaps the chief among all transgressions. It is the absolute polar opposite of who and what God Almighty has revealed Himself to be...love. Pride has no place in the presence of God, just as it should have no place in the hearts of those who seek and hope to be found in His presence. When the God-man Jesus Christ invaded time and space some 2000 years ago He turned the world on it's head, it's priorities upside down, and He showed the human heart the right side up. He displayed an eternal, unlimited and unchallenged power under the control of an unassuming and gentle force even more impressive and enchanting...a selfless, humble and Godly character. Humility it turns out, is not something self-deprecating or cowardly. It is not timid or weak. It is the recognition of the utter futility of having to prove oneself to anything or anyone, and the serene calm and confidence that comes from resting in the mighty arms of God. This God who Himself thought nothing of casting that might aside in order to reconcile the hearts of the broken and lowly to the heart of their Creator. We are not without a worthy example to follow.

CONNECTING...

Happy New Year everybody! OK...so traditionally, I'm not into the whole new year's resolution thing. However, I do sense a need in my life to inject focus, intent, effort, discipline, passion and stewardship into a number of areas that for so long have been neglected and ignored. Procrastination and laziness aren't exactly the mothers of a sense of self worth, achievement and purpose. I also sense, as I have for some time now, that genuine sustained progress in any of these areas will be more of a testament to the grace of God at work in my life than my own diligence and self-discipline. So, perhaps the most important thing I can do is commit to aligning my heart with God's will for me, and draw close to His heart for me as best I can...to allow Him (as incredible a concept as that is) to infuse into the gifts He's committed to me, His energy...His creativity...His self-control. Oh...that I may see the image of who He's created me to be increasingly revealed as the Master sculptor ever gently, yet persistently, chips from the rough block of Grant all the selfish and destructive things that cloak my true identity. That I may truly find myself in the mystery of losing myself in Him. By His grace...songwriting, writing, musicianship, health, godly stewardship, teaching, self-control...here I come!

Dear Lord...for the glory of your Name and your Will, grant me the wits to discern it...the grace to accept it...and the strength to pursue it. I'm in dire need of connecting with You. You are, and always will be...my Way.

TAP ON THE SHOULDER...

There are a few simple things in life that make me feel like a million bucks. The kinds of things that, when they happen, remind me of the kind of man I always wanted to be. I was thinking back lately to some of these situations from my past.

A little 3 year old girl, hair as red, big and curly as a little Annie, a total stranger to me, seeing me from across a crowded room and running at top speed to wrap herself around my leg and not want to let go. To this day, I have no idea why that happened, but I know how it made me feel...trustworthy, innocent. Or like driving a beautiful girl home that I had just had a first date with, and seeing her fall asleep peacefully in the seat next to me, because she was totally convinced of the fact that she was safe in my company.

Or like in recent days, picking up and hugging a friend's little baby girl, and have her nestle her head into my shoulder and hold on close. These simple things are a beacon of light to me...an indication of the things that are worth aspiring to...of characteristics worth pursuing, of the kind of man that in the deepest part of me I hope to increasingly become. Noble. Gentle. Honorable. Thank you lady and babes...hint taken.