Accidents, blood spilling, crisis creating, life at risk, are moments in time that everyone reacts to differently. Many are paralyzed, unable to respond or do anything. There are those who follow the example of Joel’s time. “At the sight of this [event] army, the people panic, faces white with terror.” (Joel 2.6) And then there are the exceptions. Everyone falls into one of these three categories; do you know which one fits you?
The racquet-ball court was full of bodies, four men playing doubles fighting for bragging rights. At any other time they would be colleagues and friends working together to accomplish something that only the greater sum of the parts could even consider possible. Today was an exceptional occasions where supportive friendship was left at the door. This was war! Only the true winners would be left standing.
Everyone knew the rules. They played hard and responded with fairness. Nothing would smudge their victory! Each point became an epic battle for position, presence, and confidence. Up a bit there, deal with a set-back here, and struggle on together for the next move. The intensity seemed to increase beyond everyone’s expectation as the game progressed. The fact that uncle and nephew were playing was a trivial fact that only the most knowledgeable could know. As the game grew the other courts went silent. Spectators gathered to be part of the experience.
In the middle of the final game the four were fighting for position on the centre line of the court. Everyone had fought for this piece of ground before and there were no signals that this battle would be any different. The sweat and intensity was overwhelming but the point was too important to even think of backing off. A single swing with a back-hand that extended too far brought everything to a stop instantly.
One participant, temporarily extremely still was lying in a pool of his own blood. In that moment each player had to choose.
People’s lives are at risk all around us. In this moment we have to choose. Will we act?
