As a young Aussie male I am brought up to love the biff at the annual State of Origin rugby league games. Almost like clockwork, as NSW take on Queensland each year the game will descend into a bit of biffo. The heart rate rises, all the players pile on in and we cheer as they get a few cheap shots on each other. In last nights game this was typified by Blues captain Paul Gallen. Seemingly out of nowhere Gallen went into a tackle on Myles with his fist and then on coming up threw a sneaky left right combo that got Myles on the chin. Rah!!
And what was Gallen’s reason? Apparently Myles had been acting rough in a number of tackles over a number of games over a number of years! Gallen was just waiting for an opportunity to get even and lay the biff on!
League is a physical game – I get that, and yet I couldn’t help think this was a pretty interesting insight into human nature. It is eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth stuff! Don’t get mad, get even! On a day to day basis we all find ourselves playing out this kind of thinking. When treated badly, treat the other person worse, because that will teach them!
Jesus stands against this kind of thinking. At one stage he says “You have heard it said, ‘Eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also… I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Would it still have been a cracking game without the biff. Yes. And maybe in a small way a radical response to rough tackles would be to outplay and outperform your opponent without resorting to getting even. What about for you? When you are treated badly how do you respond? An eye for an eye and you are an echo, but love your enemies and you become a world changer!
manlylife.org 
I love reading the stuff you write Tim – you’re a prophetic voice on the Northern beaches. I thought Gal’s punch was wrong but took a little pride in it nonetheless. Suitably chastened and reminded of Jesus; outrageous love and counter-cultural example.
Thanks David!
It was a great game last night ah?
Looking forward to catching up with you soon – if you can fit me in between Prime Minister visits 😉
Tim
Nice response in return of this matter with real arguments and telling all regarding that.
Thanks for this brilliant website. I am trying to read a lot more posts.
Many thanks again!
Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs?
I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and
would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would value your work.
If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to
send me an e-mail.
I’ve been browsing on-line more than 3 hours lately, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers
made just right content as you did, the net will be much more helpful
than ever before. how to get a 1000 followers on instagram
Where they discover ruins, an anchor, and a bucket of
chum. As we were getting ready to leave the last rest stop, a support vehicle did pull up with more supplies
for the stop and a rider in the car who had wheel issues,
but other than that, I didn’t see any support vehicles on the ride.
Tenzin: I have been attending Robert’s seminars over the years.
My brother suggested I might like this web site.
He was once entirely right. This put up actually made my day.
You cann’t believe simply how so much time I had spent for this info!
Thanks!