Page 32 - Dainfern Precinct Living 2 2021

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

IT’S JUST SANDPAPER

BY PETER STOFFBERG
hat do you think about when you
hear the word ‘sandpaper’? If you GOOD FRIDAY
watch any amount of cricket, then 9h30 - 2 APRIL
Wyou will probably associate these DAINFERN COLLEGE
words with the Australian cricket team that
toured South Africa in 2018. Australia took an EASTER SUNRISE
early lead in a tense and controversial series,
but South Africa came back strongly to win the 6h00 - 4 APRIL
second test. With the tension mounting and the NORSCOT KOPPIES
series evenly poised, something really horrible
happened. EASTER SUNDAY
9h30 - 4 APRIL
Due to some astute camera work during the DAINFERN COLLEGE
third test, the big screen at the ground and
televised footage showed Australian Cameron
Bankcroft using sandpaper to scuff the ball
to give the Australian bowlers an illegal
advantage. Never before had ball tampering
been so ruthlessly exposed. What followed was
terrible for the game and for everyone involved.
Denials and lies gave way to admissions and
resignations and finally to official sanctions.
Bancroft was handed a nine month ban, while EASTER
the captain and vice-captain were banned for a SERVICES
year.
After that, contracts were cancelled and
sponsorships were revoked. The players and
team lost millions of dollars. It may have been
the most expensive sandpaper of all time. The BOOK A SEAT ON www.familychurch.online
players have since resumed their careers with
differing levels of success, for Bancroft though,
it’s been particularly tough. Poor form has led this once . . . We’ve all done things that have
to him losing his place in the Australian national caused great hurt and pain to people, sometimes
side and his domestic team, Western Australia. we get caught and face the consequences and
It’s doubtful he could then it’s easier to comprehend the seriousness of
have imagined our actions. What about the stuff we’ve ‘got away
the consequences with’? What would those things look like when all
when he chose to the consequences are completely exposed?
take to the field with
a carefully-folded God is merciful and just. He will one day expose
square of yellow all our choices and all their consequences.
sandpaper in his At Easter time we remember the death and
pocket. It was just a resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The
piece of sandpaper. Bible teaches us that Jesus went to His death
in order to take on Himself the consequences
We should be able of our faults and bad decisions so that we can
to sympathise with be forgiven. Whatever our ‘sandpaper’ may be,
Bankcroft, though. it need not be the end of our relationship with
How many times God and others, it may just be the very thing that
have we done makes us aware of our need for Him and His
something we know forgiveness. He’s the only one who can clear our
is wrong, whether consciences and restore us to do the work that
we were caught He created us to do. Thank You Jesus.
out or not? It’s just
sandpaper, it’s just
one last drink, it’s
just for fun, it’s just

www.familychurch.online
30
DPL