Go the Crusaders

Ok so it was the semi-finals of the Super 14 rugby competition this weekend. My team, the crusaders made it into the finals with seeming ease compared to the Hurricanes (the other NZ) team. I'm glad they did though. Its nice to have an all NZ final. It will make my life interesting next weekend when I stay with Rebecca (an avid Hurricanes fan). We're at a conference, although I have a feeling we might both start to feel unwell at about 7:25 and need to leave for the night! I love watching rugby, I even attempted to play it for the last couple of years. The first year our team won the competition so we got Medals, at which point I thought I should retire on a winning note, but decided to give it another season, in which we lost the final by 1 point. I learnt a lot from my couple of years playing. It's one thing to stand on the sideline and yell advice, its a whole nother thing to be trying to play your game when some girl from the other side decides to smack you in the nose, or its so wet and muddy that catching that ball and holding onto through the tackles becomes a mission in itself. I also learnt that you have to be prepared to get hurt, to get tackled and to get your face planted in the mud from time to time. If you aren't able to reconcile that then rugby really isnt the sport for you. Its an odd sport in that the most important thing is the ball, and your body is used to protect that ball at all costs. Unlike other sports where you try and avoid contact between your body, the ball and the opposition.
As I reflect on my short career as a rugby player I am challenged by the similiarities with my walk with Jesus. That too is a contact 'sport'. I have to be prepared to get hurt, get tackled and yes even end up with my face in the mud. Getting dirty is a part of both. I never felt like I'd had a good game unless I came home with mud on me. Am I prepared to put my body on the line for Jesus? Am i prepared to put in the hours of preparation needed for a 'game'. Do I ready my mind, and spirit through reading the word and prayer? Or do I just want to skip the season and get to the medal ceremony at the end......

got to go get ready for kidzone, I've leave with one final thought.

GO THE CRUSADERS!!!!!

PS. picture of Hurricanes playing the Crusaders - wicked sky aye!