I don't know why that number was any more significant than say twenty or twenty-one, but it's the age my teammate reminded me that I am not while I hobbled away from the field Sunday evening. I tend to pride myself in being careful with my rusty 31-year old body. I do my best to frequent the gym, stretch, and occasionally eat "healthier" than I'd normally care to do (my wife makes me). So, it was to my surprise that after making good contact on the ball with the swing of my bat, I'd be hobbling away five steps out of the batter's box with hopes to even make it to first base.
If you've ever felt a rubber band snap on your fingers, it's probably the best way I could describe what it felt like when I'm hamstring popped. I've pulled muscles before when I was in high school and in college, but never my hamstring and never this severe. I was surprised by the limited range of mobility this injury had caused. I couldn't believe how much it hurt to sit. Immediately my thoughts were, "I tore something!" But later that evening, after icing and some handy-dandy Vicodin, it wasn't that bad. The next morning is usually where you feel most of the pain and believe it or not, it felt better. It is still painful at times, but my range of motion is increasing (not that you care).
Anyway, I mentioned this because I was thinking about how much pain I was in, and immediately I do the whole comparison thing. But not the "topper" comparison thing. It's more the "I have no reason to complain" thing. I've been reading a little bit about the "theology of suffering" and how God has allowed for this in this world and in our lives. Ultimately, to bring glory to His name. I know of pastor who on Thanksgiving day fell over in the middle of his living room and had a seizure right in front of his family (you can read more about it here). Long story short, he had a brain tumor on one of his frontal lobes and needed immediate brain surgery and intense radiation chemotherapy due to its severity and aggressiveness.
Now, in comparison to what this pastor is going through I feel like a very weak, little man. I don't know why I had to pull my muscle, but I know there is no reason for me to complain about it. So it inconveniences me a little. So it causes slight discomfort. But it isn't completely changing my life, it isn't changing my family's life, and it isn't changing the course of my days like brain cancer would. But what is brought to my attention through this pastor's story is not just the brevity of life, but the fact that as Christ followers we're called to suffer. And not just suffer, but suffer well. So many people who endure pain, agony, and torment, do not suffer well because who really wants to do that. We want whatever is easy, comfortable, safe, and pain free. But I believe if we can suffer well, we ultimately bring glory and honor to Christ.....the one who suffered more than we could ever endure.
