Day 20 | Kolade’s story

Reflection

Sports teams often have social cultures shaped around drinking and sex, especially during initiation. These can be really hard moments, but they are also chances to be distinctive in front of our friends.

A few years ago, there was a lad called Kolade (not his real name) who studied in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. He was a first-year student and had joined the rugby team. He got on the booze-fuelled bus to an away match, heading up north to play at St Andrews, a university town in Scotland. Tradition dictated that crossing the Forth Road Bridge, all freshers had to go up to the front of the bus, tell a joke, and then tell the kind of story you might expect from such an environment.

Eventually, it was Kolade’s turn. He told a joke. And then he said, 'Listen, I know what kind of story you want, but let me tell you another one. Let me tell you the greatest love story that I do know.' And with that, he took 30 seconds to tell the story of Jesus Christ there and then on the bus.

He took this potentially embarrassing moment to stand up and speak truth and love. He was open and vulnerable with his friends about who he was and what he believed.

When you’ve been bold and courageous, people do ask you questions. Often, but not always, they then respect you for living life differently. Part of our purpose in our friendships is to show our friends life can be lived another way – the way of Jesus. Part of our purpose in these friendships it to model a life lived for Jesus, one that is joyful, sets healthful boundaries, and is honest.

Father God, help me to have courage to live distinctively for you in my friendships this week. Help me when I feel under pressure to live in a way that doesn’t honour you. Amen.