Day 3/25- I CAN RUN
It’s painful, but it's a blessing nevertheless
For those who don’t know, in November 2022 I ruptured my ACL and couldn’t walk. There are 2 stories I tell about how it happened:
Story 1 (the half-truth; lie): The night before it happened, I gave an address at an interfaith conference. I think I went offffff and had people from many different faiths approach me with questions about the Gospel. My hypothesis is that I may have angered someone's god (small g) and they clapped back quickly. (Please don’t take me too seriously)
Story 2 (the truth): The morning after my speech at the interfaith conference, I went to train with one of the university football teams. I had been thinking about making a return to the beautiful game, so I contacted one of the teams to play with them. That morning I trained with them and was playing well, I even managed to make it into the starting line-up for their next game so was involved in a practice match at the end of the training session. During that practice match, I received the ball and began to move with it when my knee gave way (painful I know.)
After X-rays and MRI scans, Doctors gave me the news that I ruptured my ACL (ironic because that's actually the footballer injury we joke about) and couldn't play any sport for a while. Those first few weeks were horrid, unable to walk properly and I had no faith in my knee. My knee could give way at any time. Whilst managing a football team in that period, my heart genuinely desired to be on the pitch playing. Sometimes I’d watch people playing sports, in awe of how they’re able to move around so freely (sad I know.)
Months later I can finally run (GLORYYY) and my knee is a lot more stable. Why I gave all of that context is because, during my jogs this week, I’ve genuinely wanted to just stop and call it a day. But each time, I remember when I couldn’t run and how I longed to do the very thing I’m complaining about.
Although this is a trivial example, it reiterated the idea of seeing the blessing amongst the pain. The agony of the 8th kilometre was reframed as I realised this run was an act of worship and could demonstrate gratitude. I honestly believe that If we could just cast our minds back to some of the things we once prayed about, unpleasant present realities would pale when compared.
Amidst the pain, there’s an opportunity to express worship.
NYA