God of the second bounce – Mary-Anne Rulfs
It’s been a full week for Australians – the Australian Open, Australia Day and its many facets, return to school preparation …
I’ve loved watching some of the AO matches, including wheelchair tennis.
Wheelchair Tennis follows the same rules as able-bodied tennis. The only difference is Wheelchair Tennis players are allowed two bounces of the ball, provided the first bounce occurs within the bounds of the court. That’s so there’s time to manoeuvre a chair into position to play the ball.
As I watched the enthralling Australian Open tennis quad wheelchair final between Dylan Alcott and Sam Schröder, I was struck by this thought …
Disabilities present in many and varied ways. A disability may be obvious, such as Dylan’s or Sam’s, or it may be hidden. Any disability of body, mind, temperament or personality can make it difficult for us to participate in life according to the regular rules.
Sometimes we all need the provision of a ‘second bounce’ to give us time and breathing space to face life and the challenge at hand.
Jesus seemed to offer freedom from the rules that were impossible for dis-abled human beings to live by. Jesus offered a way of living that provided release to captives, recovery of sight for the blind, and freedom for the oppressed.
Jesus profoundly changed people’s lives, freeing them from the constraints of their impediments, to do more and be more – which meant they could love more and serve more wholly.
Jesus provided a way to life in all its fullness, making the unconditional love of God accessible to all.
Dylan Alcott, our 2022 Australian of the Year, is a tireless advocate for freedom for those constrained by their disability. When he speaks of growing up as a kid in a wheelchair, and hating himself and having all kinds of insecurities about his situation, the love of family and people who spoke encouragingly into his life saved him. They offered him a new way to see himself and the possibilities available to him.
Dylan loved going to the cricket. But he couldn’t play cricket in a wheelchair. However, he could play tennis – and he did!
A very wide range of important community issues and needs were represented amongst the passions and contributions of people nominated in the various categories of 2022 Australians of the Year announced on 25 January.
Those who were honoured with each award represented sport, philanthropy, disability inclusion, community volunteer work, homelessness and health, alcoholism and mental health in rural communities …
It’s like they are providing ‘a second bounce’ for people constrained by many and varied disabling influences and constraints in their lives and offering hope of a better life.
And they are inviting us to participate in life-changing, hope-giving pursuits too, in whatever way we can.
How will we take up Jesus’ invitation to move past the dis-abling constraints in our own lives so that we can live more generous, loving and connected lives?
Whether we connect with the personality of Australia Day award recipients or not, and whether we share their passion for particular social issues or not is not the point. These awards recognise the life-changing and community-changing work that is shaping Australian communities for the better. Our lives are all the richer for that.
Watching an elite sports final between wheelchair athletes held on the same arena as able-bodied competitors, with a capacity audience, is a wonderful image of what’s possible when we take up Jesus’ offer of ‘the second bounce’ that frees us from perfection, impossible rules and the constraints of our own innate disabilities – and frees us to live life in all its fullness.
How might we speak with encouragement, and without judgement, into the lives of others?
How might we hear words of encouragement spoken into our lives and find courage to move forward?
How might we receive the unconditional love of God, gifted to us through Jesus Christ, in ways that liberate us to live with all that life has thrown at us – and be free to love and serve one another?
With every blessing,
Mary-Anne