Just about everyone knows this about me, but I used to be a pretty intense athlete in Judo. I have my black belt, trained for 13 years, competed for 8 years, and coached for 8 years. However, as Christian athletes have to wrestle with the idol of perfection and following Jesus at the same time, I didn't know how to hold that in tension. I followed Judo and perfection instead of Jesus. In the end, I decided to formally retire from Judo during my prime (age 23) and continued to serve Jesus outside of my athletics.
During my first VUP experience, I remember 2 distinct things.
1. I have a deep heart for Justice
2. God Recycles Sin - Al McKay
Little did I know, 7 years later, these two pieces that I learned from VUP has created an incredible opportunity for ministry.
Over this past month, I started to participate in an SFU Recreation program called Police Judo. I stumbled upon this a few years back but I was unable to go so it slipped out of my mind. Abraham, an SFU alumni, started to go and we began having Judo conversations. During these conversations, I could feel the excitement welling up in my heart again. I knew I needed to check it out.
I went and introduced myself to the coaches and just watched the practice to familiarise myself with how they teach. Police Judo uses traditional Judo foundations but applies it practically in law enforcement.
The following week, I decided to fish out my Judo Gi from storage and go to practice. I was introduced to two black belts of Police Judo, who are police officers themselves, and they welcomed me. I sat there seeing a lot of white belts and lower belts around me and no one really talking to me. Class started and then the instructor started off the class by introduced me and honoured me in front of the whole class. Aftewards, the tone of the students changed and I was in conversations with practically everyone. All throughout practice, I was only seeing myself as a student yet the instructors were giving me coaching authority. It didn't matter that I was out of practice for 8 years, they still honoured me as a coach. After practice, I also asked what the fees were and they refused to take any fees from me because of my black belt. I felt deeply loved and respected.
The following week, I went as usual, however this week was different. The instructor asked me to take 20 min of the class to teach some of my techniques. I was both excited and terrified at the same time. Excited that I get to coach again and terrified if I have anything viable to teach anymore. I proceeded to coach and it was as if all of my techniques came flooding back into my mind and my body was moving on its own. People were having fun and everyone learned. An instructor of Police Judo from the Justice Institute then invited me to come and train with their officers on other times of the week.
This level of honour is something that I am not used to but I am really enjoying. When I was given this honour in the past, it would easily go to my head and I would flaunt it in front of everyone. This time is different though, I am constantly praying that God would keep my heart humble and the honour and respect that my black belt and experience offers me, gives me significant opportunities in this Police Judo world.
- When students ask what I do and I share that I am a campus minister, they seem to have even more respect for me.
- All of these students and instructors have a deep sense of Justice so there may be an opportunity for me to resurrect the Justice Bible Study.
- I get to be connected with Police Officers in Vancouver which may give me connections to the Odd Squad for future VUP experiences.
It has only been a month and I am seeing some of these opportunities start to bubble up.
- Imagine if I am able to train with the same students 2 times a week for years. The opportunity to share the Gospel is huge in this.
- Imagine if I these students choose to explore God's heart for Justice and they come out with a bigger perception of Justice. What if these students who are seeking after a Kingdom value of Justice go and become our future law enforcement? What would our society look like after that?
I don't know what God's plan is for this but what I do know is the sin of idolatry in Judo has now been recycled in my life. It is not directed to myself, but to God and for furthering His Kingdom.
God indeed, loves to recycle our sin.
