We had a great class night; lots of kicks and punches, a good amount of body conditioning, footwork, etc. It was a good class for me until I attempted to teach the standard hip throw known as ogoshi. Just about anybody has seen this throw, even if you’re not into martial arts. Essentially, you load somebody on your hip like a weighted squat, lift their feet off the ground and toss them down, easy peasy. Easy if you have functional hips, anyway. Last night was an example of how mine are not; I simply could not bear the load on my left hip…the one that needs to and will be replaced soon. Maybe the guys noticed and cut me some slack, but I sure noticed.
Some times, the load is too heavy to bear without help.
I believe most people are familiar enough with the story of crucifixion of Christ, which included the torment of dragging his own cross through the streets while being beaten and ridiculed. Whether or not you are a believer, you can almost certainly identify with the humanity of this scene. Throughout the ages, many have suffered unspeakable acts as well as incredible pain and loss. There simply is no escaping pain and suffering in life no matter who you are. Interestingly enough, Jesus predicted his death and torture when he told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 So, what does that mean?
I’ve done a lot of manual labor in my life, including a lot of hauling things and people around. I’ve trudged through woods with logs over my back, filled lots of sandbags as punishment for taking a gas mask off during a military exercise, buddy-carried wounded airmen, lifted people off the floor and out of bed. I can’t think of a single load that didn’t make be stoop a bit. There’s a reason we have to stoop.
In order to lift heavy things, you must use the proper mechanics; we all know this. “Lift with your knees, not your back” is a common saying, though when we’re in a rush, we tend to do the opposite; we don’t bend our knees, we hold our breath and we act without thinking it through. We try to do it ourselves, often because we lack the humility to ask for help and end up on the injured list. Indeed, one of the worst injuries I’ve ever had…still have, is damage to my fourth and fifth lumbar after attempting to lift a huge Marine out of bed during a weekend shift back in 1997. Herniated a couple of discs and had crippling back and leg pain for about 10 years…almost ended my military career. Why? Because I was too egotistical to ask for help and I didn’t use proper mechanics.
All of us have our own load from time to time. We try to ignore it and placate ourselves with phone entertainment, alcohol, drugs and other escapes, but the weight is always there. Some times, it’s a little too much and we feel crushed by it. I’ve witnessed two women I love bear the weight of cancer. It’s difficult to understand just how heavy and oppressive this weight can be, how it tends to dominate your life. Even the possibility that you may have some form of cancer can paralyze you and no matter who tries to comfort you, your wife, your husband or friends, nobody can really understand what you’re going through. Well, almost nobody…
The story of Jesus is the story of the cross. The story of the cross is an example of how to bear the load, whatever that load is. It’s heavy, sometimes smothering. You have to use the proper mechanics, like bending your knees…in prayer. When no one earth can understand your pain, that’s when you bow down and look up with your heart. Even Jesus, the Son of God, had help from Simon of Cyrene, a passerby who was “voluntold” by the Romans to help carry the cross. Luke 23:26
Here’s the thing: No one on earth could carry that cross but Christ. It was his destiny, his calling, his unique purpose. And he was given the strength to do it. So are you. You just need to use good lifting mechanics and know when and how to ask for help. There is no getting out of this life without suffering, without having to carry a cross of our own. And I firmly believe we are never given a load we can’t handle without the proper mechanics. It doesn’t always mean you’re going to survive it. We won’t. It’s not about surviving it; it’s about carrying it until it’s time to lay it down. May happen on this side of the dirt, may happen after your soul leaves it. And it may seem that God does not hear you when you say through tears and anguish that you can’t bear the load anymore. But it is at our weakest when God’s love and mercy are at their strongest: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:7
That’s why the load makes you stoop. Sometimes, we simply cannot accept grace until we realize and admit that we need it. By the way…we all need it.
Dave Magliano
Tatsu Dojo
Jissenkan Budo
Dojo Cho