If you were asked the question, "Name three things in your life that had a profound or life changing impact on the way you thought or act," what would you say? For me, one story that I read in Tennis Week magazine about a decade ago was one such turning point. The champion tennis player in prison!
As tennis players we all strive to have a good game. Come on admit it, having a better forehand or serve is what we work many hours to achieve. What would it be like to be one of the best in the country with a future that included Davis Cup play? This is unimaginable to most. Sadly Brad lost it all and was sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder. He was as well-known as his contemporaries, Sampras, Courier, Agassi, or Chang. Would this have happened if he had a growing and loving relationship with Christ, the counsel of Godly friends who loved him, a Bible study that he attended, a family that taught him the priority of God, or a coach that would of taken the time to introduce him to Christ? After this shocking story, we have two inspiring stories of players who have achieved just as much as any tennis player you can name. They are champion handicap and transplant players, who know God and give Him glory.
In the 1980’s the USA ranked #2 junior, and a Junior Davis Cup player was sentenced to life imprisonment for the attempted murder of his former girlfriend. Perhaps he is reliving in his mind what his dreams were, as he sits in lifelong cell. Brad was from a wealthy family in southern California and he had been conditioned to believe that winning in tennis was the same as winning in life. Coaches, parents, and society desired this in him. According to his own words the pressure of winning, losing, or being the best was to much for him. While some would say he was not mature, I would say he was confused about what was really important in life. Finally the breakup of his relationship with his girlfriend was the final breaking point. He kept attempting to gain back the affection of the one he cared for. From lover to friends is never easy. In one last desperate attempt to fill that emptiness in his heart, he went from tennis practice to her house and in a confused state, shot her. Paralyzing her from the waist down, forever. Those who have suffered through the loss of a relationship can understand the pain Brad felt. Where could Brad turn for answers, no one had the right answers for him. This did not have to happen, but those who did reach out to him, did not have the answers. Perhaps, no one told him about how Christ will change your life, does change your life and has a perfect plan for your life.
One of the joys that God has given to me as I follow Him in this ministry, is to have contact with tennis players who love God around the world. I have met these two believers through computer emails. I must say it has caused me to reflect on my own life. When I am tired from standing on my feet teaching all day, I just thank God that He can give me joy in my heart in all circumstances.
Ryan Scott is paralyzed from the stomach down, he is 26 and now lives at Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA. He is in his last semester of college, majoring in psychology, he plans on working with Biblical counseling for families and children. I will turn it over to Ryan now as he tells his story. "I have been an active tennis player since I was about twelve, growing up in San Diego, California. In 1991, the day after I graduated from high school, I was in an automobile accident that left me paralyzed. I was a Christian before my accident and I was raised in a Christian home. My parents divorced when I was 6 and my mother made sure that we were in Christian education. Four years ago I started to play tennis again from my wheelchair. I have progressed through three divisions and I am a nationally ranked wheelchair player. My competitive tennis has become a big part of my life. I have a job at the local tennis facility and love the work and the challenge. I usually play six or seven tournaments a summer, they are all over the country. I know that God is in total control of everything that is going on. Although I do have my days as anyone else would. He has a plan for my life, but sometimes it becomes difficult to see exactly what it might be. I am often reminded of Joshua 1:9, to be strong and of good courage, that the Lord our God is with you where ever you go. I have many references that encourage me. Psalms 147, that the Lord does not take pleasure in the strength of a horse nor does he delight in the legs of a man, the Lord takes pleasure in those who hope in his mercy. These are just a few things that keep me going in the battle that is everyday life for me. Being in a wheelchair is not fun, and there are many days when I just can't, and don't want to be strong. I want to just quit, but that is always when the Lord takes over. I can't live my life waiting to be healed, but I cannot doubt the power of the Lord either. I have been told by some that the reason I can't walk is because I don't have enough faith. It is hard for me to hear. There are so many things I can still do. It just takes time to learn over again. It also takes education, to inform the public of the athletic ability of some disabled athletes. To most it is a human interest story, a display of courage. The courage is the easy part, we train just as hard for our sports as any other world class athlete. The education is just not there. I know that without my faith and the knowledge of God's control in my life I wouldn't have been able to deal with my circumstance. He is such a force, and is blessing me everyday…Scott
Stevan Krajnjan has received two life-giving kidneys. One from his mother and one from his sister. Most recently in July, 1998. He is an accomplished artist, and from Ontario, Canada. In 1993 he won the tennis gold medal in singles at the World Transplant Games in Vancouver, Canada. At the 1995 Manchester, England games he won the gold in doubles and silver in singles. He missed the 1997 Sydney, Australia games due to his second transplant. He has spent 2 ½ years on dialysis in addition to his transplants and recovery. Here is his story in his own words. "I started to play tennis at the age of 16, including tournaments. I was ranked #3 in Ontario state just prior to my kidney problems. I have been ranked every year except during the years when I had to be dialyzed, or recuperating from my transplant. I played number one singles in college. Interesting, I accepted Christ, just two years before I began having kidney problems. My grandmother and grandfather believed in Jesus as a savior, but no one else in my family. I always believed in God, without a doubt. As a 12 year old I read most of the Old Testament and then stopped, perhaps due to a lack of understanding and guidance. This verse spoke to me solemnly and lovingly as a child and I accepted it as truth. "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul" (Mark 8:36). As with many other transplant recipients, I have been through a lot and it has been especially difficult recovering after my second transplant. It is only through the hope and strength that God through Jesus offers that I have been able to overcome my physical trials and continue to play tennis. The combination of being a transplant recipient and also often highly ranked tennis player has proven to be an effective witnessing tool to those who know me and have seen me play. When asked how I manage always to come back and play tennis at such high competitive level, I only have one answer for them... it is not by my strength but by the power of the Spirit, faith and hope in God. After my second transplant I had come from a point where I couldn't wash myself or even enter the bath tub to where I am ready to compete in tournaments again. Praise and glory be to God who sustains me by His will. I have been training in order to regain my strength back as I has lost a lot of it after the second transplant (it was a tough one!). I have played several tournament matches over the summer, winning, but having to slow down due to joint pains from medications. Transplant recipients need someone such as myself to tell the world that transplantation does indeed work and offer "hope" to many who are suffering. I likewise share my real hope, the hope in Jesus Christ and everlasting life…Stevan
I do not know exactly why bad things happen. But this I do know is that Jesus Christ changes a life, no matter were you are at. He did it for me and he can do it for you. Nothing that you have suffered cannot be overcome. Not always with the result you expect. Your desires and Gods desires, can be two different things. However God can see the future beyond where we are now and will do what is best for you. First you must have a proper relationship and understanding of who God is and that His plan for your good. Your knowledge is best accomplished by getting into a Bible study and learning directly from God’s Word. Second you must have a prayerful relationship with God frequently, knowing how to communicate to God from your heart. Third, you must pick yourself up when you fall and get back on the right track with God. Fourth, you should have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which is the basis for Christianity. This is were the deep desire for change comes from that allows you to overcome all obstacles.
You can check out Stevan Krajnjan website at http://webhome.idirect.com/~stevk. To contact Ryan Scott please contact us and we will forward you email to him. For World Transplant Games contact the website http://www.nkfg.org//transgms.htm or National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis at http://www.nfwt.org.
Remember: Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Dr. Thomas Lee, professor of surgery at Georgetown University Medical School gave this inscription with a painting of an eagle to a paraplegic medical student. "When they walk, they stumble. They are not what one would call graceful. They were not designed to walk. They fly. And when they fly, oh how they fly, so free, so graceful. They see from the sky what we never see. Steve, (and Ryan) you are an eagle."
Blessings,
Rev. Bob Kraft