Quote

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
- Mother Teresa

Real Life

Peter Pollock had a boyhood vision: playing cricket for South Africa. His dream became a reality on 2 December 1961 when he was announced as part of the Springbok team for the first test against New Zealand at Kingsmead in Durban. He could not have wished for a better debut: nine wickets for 99.

As his success as a fast bowler grew, Peter found that “fast bowling provided a certain loneliness. It was impossible to be friendly and chatty with opposition players, especially the batsmen. Opposition players had to be kept at arm’s length, lest I befriend any and lose that vital killer instinct!”. On one magazine front page the headline read, “The man who loves to hate”, alongside a photo of Peter’s intense eyes as he delivered a killer bouncer. He was one of the fastest, most feared bowlers in the world, and he was injuring opposition players all in the name of the game. He was never allowed to visit any of his victims in hospital, in case he should lose his “killer instinct”.

In a provincial match between Natal and Eastern Province, Peter struck a batsman on the head, fracturing his skull and affecting his speech. As team captain, Peter visited him in hospital, only to be comforted by the injured player. The encounter deeply unsettled him, stirring up guilt over the many players he had hurt. He began to question what kind of man he had become.

In August 1982, Peter Pollock, at the age of 41, committed his life to Jesus. In the years that followed, he let go of pride, sought forgiveness, and began to heal broken relationships. As his perspective shifted, the burden lifted, and this once-hardened sportsman learned what it truly meant to love others. Like Peter, we can become so focused on our goals that we overlook the impact we have on those around us. Even without meaning to, our actions can cause harm if we’re not mindful.

The Bible speaks a lot about loving others. Jesus teaches us to love others as He loves us (John 13:34), and Scripture says love is even greater than faith and hope (1 Corinthians 13:13).

As 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 describes, love is patient, kind, humble, forgiving, and enduring. When we choose to love - in our words, actions, and attention to others - we not only bring healing to those around us but experience joy, freedom, and fullness ourselves. Love really does change everything.

Bible Verse

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for loving me! Please help me to pay attention to my actions and words and thoughts, to measure it all to your definition of love. Help me to love others, because You have loved me first.

Author: Jacolize Becker   |   Content Editor: Phil Pawley