I have played a little and watched a lot of rugby league over the years. It is a brutal sport. Run hard – tackle hard is the mantra. So there are bound to be injuries, many injuries. Few as bad as the one I saw 10 years ago. It looked like any other gang tackle but this one went horribly wrong. It turned into a dangerous tackle. It led to the fracture of the C4 and C5 vertebrae of the tackled player rendering him a quadriplegic, immediately paralysing him from the waist down.
That player was strapping 1.8metre, 22-year-old Alex McKinnon from the Newcastle Knights. A young man in the prime of his life with a much sort after rugby league career and a beautiful fiancée.
McKinnon spent the first 6 months at home by himself. Understandably he was angry and anxious about what had happened and what would happen in the future. His whole life was turned upside down and he wondered who he was and would anybody love him again.
Alex was drowning in frustration and anger. It was all consuming. Eventually he found the catalyst for letting go of his pain. Forgiveness. Alex says; It was just exhausting. I found myself in a spot where I had to forgive because I felt it was the only way for me to move on from my injury. I recognise it as the best thing I ever did.
After forgiving those involved in his tackle, Alex got on with life. He stood for the first time when he married his fiancée Teigan who had been by his side through it all. They had two beautiful daughters. Alex changed his outlook on life by getting out of the house, getting into a routine and getting around people. He landed a job with the Newcastle Knights as their recruitment manager. Life was good again for Alex McKinnon.
But wait there's more. In January 2022 Alex and Teigan shocked Australia when they announced their separation and latter divorce. Alex never thought his marriage would end. But he says their relationship evolved over time and it got to the point where they were just friends. Eventually the time came to end their relationship but remain friends.
But wait there's more. After initially spending as much time as he could with his children post separation, Alex embarked on a psychology degree at uni. It was there that he met his new love, Lily.
Alex reflects he is probably the happiest he has ever been. He's healthy and very excited for what the future may bring. He emphasises the importance of family, and sees an opportunity to help others with his psychology degree and the challenges he has had to endure.
Alex McKinnon has been on a wild ride in the 10 years since his life changed forever in a tackle much like any other tackle. He was riding high until that tackle brought him down and out. Then he rose again before falling down again, now rising yet again. He has discovered the healing power of forgiveness and the strength to keep moving forward no matter what.
Alex's story reminds me of another guy who had it tough, very tough. But he kept moving forward. This guy wrote half of the New Testament and knew a thing or two about living with and without God.
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:6-8; For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight. I have finished my race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Paul suffered immensely. He was committed to telling people the Good News and for that he copped a lot. Beatings, floggings, stonings, imprisonment, ship wrecks; at times gone without sleep, food and clothes. Constantly on the move, constantly in danger.
Yet as he finishes his life, he can proudly say he has fought the good fight – he has kept the faith. He looks forward to being in the presence of God in heaven. Who will give him a crown of righteousness and welcome him with those wonderful words – well done good and faithful servant!
Life can be difficult. Life can be challenging. Life can be unfair. Life can change in an instant.
But if we keep the faith and finish the race, wonders await us.
Don't be thrown off course by troubles and sickness. Our faith should not be dependent on everything going right in our lives. God will bless us in many ways but not always keep us free from troubles and sickness. Just look at Paul.
Spiritual maturity is found in those who keep their faith despite what happens to them. Who don't turn away from God when the going gets tough. People like my late wonderful wife Vivienne and my late great mate Trevor. They kept their faith right to the end and now they are in glory.
Run your race, keep the faith, glory awaits!
Go with God.
Peter O'Sullivan
LEST WE FORGET
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