England were playing football against Colombia in 1995 when something incredible happened. It was a friendly match, trundling along without much excitement in front of a threadbare Wembley crowd of about 20,000 spectators.
Jamie Redknapp, a midfield player, attempted to launch a long ball into the Colombian box but the flight of the ball was jejune and malnourished and it sailed towards the fuzzy-haired and flamboyant figure of Rene Higuita in the Colombian goal. It was so easy for Higuita to reach out and catch the ball but the eccentric goalkeeper dived forward and, with his back arched like a scorpion’s tail pre-sting, flicked up both of his heels with exquisite timing to clear the ball.
This was an outrageous and hugely entertaining stunt and Wembley gasped with delight! What did God think when Higuita did this stunning party piece? Perhaps the Lord said to the angels – “Finally someone has done the scorpion kick!”
Questions
What brings you joy?
What makes you glad to be alive?
Do you think God has made a ‘bobbydazzler’ world?
How did Higuita honour the cultural mandate?
How would Plato respond to the scorpion kick?
Mark is a lively storyteller and the author of four books, including The Spy, the Rat and the Bed of Nails: Creative Ways of Talking about Christian Faith. His work is focused on storytelling and how this can help us to communicate the Christian faith. He has written many articles for the Baptist Times, RE Today, Youthscape, Direction magazine and the Christian Teachers Journal.
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