one to one: Lessons about life, ministry, and grandkids

by Keith Burden, Executive Secretary, National Association of Free Will Baptists

Blindsided

I love football. I had the privilege of playing the game in junior and senior high school. It taught me a lot about self-discipline and the importance of teamwork.

One of my more memorable experiences on the gridiron came at the beginning of my junior year in high school. We had completed the grueling period known as “two-a-days.” These twice-daily practice sessions occurred during the preseason and the sweltering summer month of August. As athletes, we experienced the exhausting, muscle-aching process of getting into good physical condition.

One component of becoming game-ready was scrimmaging other teams. It was conducted under game-like conditions, but the coaches were out on the field to evaluate players and give instructions between plays.

Limited in size and talent, our team had several players who, like me, played both offense and defense. On this particular occasion, our team started on defense. I played the position of outside linebacker, which included tackling the ball carrier.

The very first play from scrimmage was a running play to my side of the field. I vividly remember sprinting towards the halfback, making contact, and locking my arms around the runner to make the tackle.

That’s when it happened. The split end on the opposing team was responsible for blocking me on that play. But, because the running back turned up field sooner than expected, the split end had a poor angle and consequently delivered an illegal block to my back with his helmet.

I immediately dropped to my knees. The blow knocked the breath out of me. It hurt…a lot! Coach Wadsworth instructed me to stand to my feet. I couldn’t. I literally crawled to the sideline on my hands and knees.

Once I caught my breath and regained my wits, I felt an arm around my shoulder. I heard the familiar voice of our family physician, Dr. Powell. He asked me a series of questions, trying to ascertain if I was seriously injured. In a matter of minutes he escorted me to the locker room, removed my shoulder pads, and determined I needed medical attention.

In characteristic small-town fashion, my doctor drove me in his own vehicle to the hospital. Following a battery of tests, the doctor informed my parents I had a bruised kidney. Pain medication was administered, and I was kept in the hospital that night for observation. The next day, I was transported by ambulance to a medical center in a neighboring community where I spent six days recovering from the injury. Thankfully, the internal bleeding stopped, and surgery was not required.

Remarkably, I was able to return to play the last five games of the season. While some questioned the wisdom of that decision, I was determined I would not allow an injury to keep me from doing something I was passionate about. I am happy to report that I finished my high school football career without further incident.

As in football, to excel in the Christian life you must be committed, disciplined, and willing to work hard. Playing by the rules doesn’t mean you won’t encounter some tough breaks. Sometimes you get blindsided. It happens.

Getting knocked down is nothing to be ashamed of—staying down is. Get up, dust yourself off, and get back in the game. Allowing yourself to become a victim will keep you from pursuing your passion and doing great things for God.

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat” (Theodore Roosevelt).

About the Column

One to One is a regular feature of ONE Magazine. Written by Keith Burden, executive secretary of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, the column explores life, ministry...and the joys of grandchildren.