Character Hill

I went running on an off day over the weekend and ran about two miles on a fairly busy road close to where I live.  It's a straight road with one big disadvantage:  the farther you run, the farther you have to run back.  Hence, if you run too far, you have to run an equal distance back to the starting point, sometimes in the hot sun.  I usually park at a local gas station and from there commence my journey. 

Yet, running two miles like I did was not overly difficult but it was relatively insignificant compared to the distances I used to run.  As a matter of fact, on this road, I used to run four miles on occasion: two miles to the bridge over the Cahaba River from my starting point and two miles back.  Mind you, this type of run was always very challenging, especially on the way back to the gas station.  The reason?  There is a huge hill I would have to climb as I was coming back.  It's a tough hill to run, especially after running a couple of miles.  But, due to its impressive size, I gave the hill a name, "Character Hill", because of the challenge it presented in conquering it. To run up this hill and then make my way back to the gas station was quite a feat.  Running up this hill demonstrated that I was a serious runner, not just one out for a lazy stroll. 

Come to think of it, we all have "character hills", so to speak.  These are formidable challenges which approach us every day and come in a variety of venues.  It could be cancer or major illness as occurred in my life.  Maybe going to school.  Perhaps difficult work or family situations to endure.  Whatever the case, we have to decide whether to run up these character hills.  It may be taxing, it may be difficult, or maybe even exhausting, but somewhere along the way, we'll be rewarded for our efforts.

On your mark.  Get set.  Go!

 

What's Your Next Shot?

Enjoyed playing golf today with my father, although my round had its usual ups and downs.  As I believe I've mentioned previously, since I have no natural golfing ability, more or less, golf is a game I have to work at just to be mediocre.  Hence the challenge of it all.  As a result, I am frequently looking for someone or something to help me improve my game.  I recently heard some good advice from a friend of mine at church, a man whose golfing abilities far outweigh my own.  He described some solid mental advice while playing a round, that is, think about what your next shot will be.  I thought about this some while I was hitting the ball today.  The next shot...that's what I should focus on.

It makes perfect sense.  I don't want to get bogged down in thinking about the bad shots I may have just made.  Keep pressing forward.  Don't let the bad holes get me too far down.

On the other hand, after hitting a good shot or having a good hole, my work is not done.  I can't rest on my laurels.  A round of golf, unfortunately, contains eighteen holes so I can't really relax until I've completed them all.

This also translates to life.  I can't get too bogged down when I make a mistake.  I should try to make amends or correct it and move on.

In addition, if I have some good things happen to me in life or receive accolades, I may enjoy them for a season, but then I have to move on.  If I hold on too tightly to my past, my present life will get stale.

Hence, my life, just like my golf game, is a game of endurance.  There is no resting until I reach the finish line.  Currently I am involved in several activities, for example, writing my second book, "Glorified Sickness", seeking multiple ways to minister to others who are dealing with cancer, and, of course, sharing revelations on my blog.  But after these things fade away, then what?  How am I going to hit my next shot in life?

So, whether I'm in a water hazard or a fairway in life, or maybe even if I have just missed an easy putt, I have to think, "Where do I go from here?"

 

Staying Positive In The Midst of Difficulties

I've been in contact with Ken Medema's ministry in order to get some information for my second book.  If you aren't aware, Ken has been essentially blind from birth, only able to discern the silhouettes of objects.  Nevertheless, he has become a prolific Christian singer, pianist and composer in his lifetime in spite of his visual deficit.  He has recorded numerous albums and has ministered to many.

I sent Ken's publicist a copy of the chapter I'm writing which mentions how Ken demonstrates God's power in spite of his illness.  I subsequently was gently rebuked and came to understand that Ken doesn't see his blindness as an illness, but as a "character trait".  What a great attitude!  No wonder God has used him in a marvelous way.

You can learn more about his ministry at:

http://kenmedema.com/

The Apostle Paul also had a great attitude towards hardships in life.  He describes his experiences as follows:

"Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure." (II Corinthians 11:24-27 NASB)

How did he characterize these experiences overall? II Corinthians 4:17 gives us a clue in which he says, "For momentary, light affliction (italics mine) is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." 

Did you catch that?  His sufferings for the sake of the Gospel were "light afflictions".  Is he kidding me?  The above list doesn't look "light" at all but extremely burdensome.  Yet, he kept his eye on the prize, the "eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison".  I guess some things in life really aren't that bad when you recognize the eternal purposes of God.  Our sufferings are, as Paul put it, "momentary".  Glad they won't last forever.

Run, Hide, Fight

Saw a sad billboard going to work the other day, a billboard which reflects the unfortunate events which now seem to occur routinely in our society. As you recall, there were  horrendous shootings in Aurora, Colorado in a movie theater last year and later in a school in Newtown, Connecticut.  Perhaps in responding to these tragedies, some organization felt led to give some advice regarding what to do if  confronted by a shooter in the workplace or other community setting.  Although I don't remember everything from the billboard, the main information which it conveyed when confronted by a shooter is simply, "Run...Hide...Fight!".  In contemplating these guidelines, I thought these terms not only apply to how to handle a person with a gun, but to life in general.  Let's explore these in a little more detail, shall we.

First of all, run when in danger, when the nemesis is more powerful.  Several years ago when cutting the grass in my backyard, I ran over a yellow jackets' nest with my lawn mower.  I didn't see it until I was being stung by several yellow jackets and immediately realized what had happened.  What did I do?  I ran to my house as fast as I could, rolling on the ground along the way to try to rid myself of the stinging varmints.  It was very frightening, but, yet, the best course of action considering the circumstances.  I think I ended up with about five or six stings, although it could have been much worse if I hadn't vacated the premises.

Second, if running is not an option, then it's best to try to hide from the danger.  Where I live we occasionally are visited by the threat of tornadoes.  As a result, when a "Tornado Warning" is issued, local meteorologists provide continuous recommendations of how to avoid being injured from these cataclysmic events, for example, going to the lowest area of the house towards the innermost part of the structure, especially staying away from windows.  In following their advice, you could say we "hide" from the danger.

Finally, sometimes the most appropriate thing to do is fight, especially if there is no place to run or hide.  When confronting cancer, there is no other option.  Running away from it won't make it go away.  It continues to grow within the body, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly.  Whatever the case, it is relentless in seeking to destroy its host. 

Can't hide from it either.  Avoiding doctors or avoiding medical scans won't affect it one way or the other.  It still will be there.

Hence, the only option is to "fight the good fight of faith" (I Timothy 6:12) or what I would describe as "using maximum physical and mental effort."  Giving only minimal effort will not be sufficient to remove cancer..it takes heavy hitters such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.  In addition, a healthy overcoming attitude may also be invaluable in the struggle.  Furthermore, by punching at cancer with all we've got, it's possible that many may be victorious in spite of overwhelming odds.

Are you ready to fight???

 

Into Thy Hands

Perhaps it's a prayer you heard as a child, one which was recited at bedtime.  Imagine a child in his pajamas, kneeling beside his bed, eyes closed, head bowed and enunciating the prayer with a precious childlike voice.  There are several versions of it listed on the Internet, but a simple version reads:

"Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I shall die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen"

Such innocence and beauty is revealed as the little one says his bedtime prayer and rests peacefully in the arms of the Heavenly Father.  Afterwards, the glow of the moon penetrates the bedroom window as a divine nightlight.  The child is safe and secure in his bed.  No worries.  No concerns.  Simply warmth and happiness in God's presence.

I heard a pastor say that Jesus also uttered a bedtime prayer in the most unusual of places...the cross.  After the unspeakable horrors and agony of being crucified, Luke 23:46 records, "And, Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit.'  And having said this, He breathed His last."

Where did Jesus learn the phrase, "Into Thy hands I commit my spirit"?  Psalms 31:5.  Apparently, the Jews said this phrase before they went to sleep at night.  It was their version of "now I lay me down to sleep."  Again, no worries, no concerns.  They slept peacefully in the arms of the Almighty.

How fitting for Jesus to use this phrase on the cross.  The crucifixion was complete.  His sacrifice for mankind had been accomplished.  There would be no more mental or physical agony for Him.  It was finished!!  Hence, He could commit His spirit to the Father in this divine act.  As the little child who sleeps upon his bed, Jesus could now rest in the Father's hand.

We, too, can rest in the Father's hand at the end of the day, or even at the end of life.  Resting in Him, trusting in Him, that whatever happens, He is watching over us.  Such peace.  Such joy.

Perhaps, our bedtime prayer should be:

"Father, thank you for bringing me through another day. Even though there may have been trials and difficulties, I can rest completely in You.   In your presence is fullness of joy.  So, as I go to sleep, into Thy hands, I commit my spirit.  Amen."

Under Construction

It just never seems to end....the construction at the hospital where I work.  There is a certain work site I pass ever day walking from the parking lot to my floor.  As a matter of fact, it seems like the construction workers have been laboring on that site for years.  I would estimate this project has been in effect for at least three to four years.  Amazing!  It seems like part of the building is constructed, then it is torn down.  The street was excavated at one time, then it was filled in.  Of course, being an outsider to construction, I really have no clue to what the workers are doing.  I have no sense of the time to completion, a fairly limited understanding of the finished product.  To me, the construction looks chaotic (as do most construction sites).  There must by some rhyme or reason to what the work crew is doing, although I'm having a hard time seeing it.  Yet, it is easy to wonder if the builders really know what they are doing.

Sometimes it is tempting to wonder if God knows what He is doing.  Obviously, there are some problems we bring upon ourselves due to poor choices.  On the other hand, some things appear for no apparent reason.  You know, things like sickness, financial difficulties, marital or familial discord, etc. We are brought to our knees as we wonder, "Why?"  "Why did this happen?"  "Why at this time?"  "Why in my life, of all people?"

Yet, a powerful scripture comes to mind from Isaiah 45:9.  It states succinctly:

"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker—
An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth!
Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’
Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?"

God also spoke to Job with some rather strong words in Job 38:4-7.  God said:

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding,
Who set its measurements? Since you know.
Or who stretched the line on it?
“On what were its bases sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
When the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Hence, in the broad spectrum of the universe, I may have difficulty seeing the "big picture" of life.  But I must continually submit myself to the Master Potter to accomplish His purposes.  Ultimately, in time, the finished product of my life, although chaotic at times, will be glorious. 

I talk more at length about the Master Potter's work in dealing with my life while I was fighting bladder cancer in my book, "A Place I Didn't Want To Go: My Victory Over Cancer".  It is available on Amazon and Kindle and can be accessed at:

http://www.amazon.com/Place-Didnt-Want-Go-Victory/dp/0983453624/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324565593&sr=1-1

The Value of Trials

Although I'm not very good at it, I enjoy playing golf from time to time.  My father and I play at a local public course.  Although it's not a very fancy course, it is plenty challenging for me due to one reason.....the creek.  This blasted creek is a continuous hazard on the course as it meanders in play on several holes.  It slithers in and out of holes like a snake and it is noticeable throughout the course.  By my count, this creek comes into play in nine out of the eighteen holes if we played the regular or white tees.  As a result, it is rare (and I mean rare) that I finish a round without having to retrieve at least one golf ball out of the creek.  Just like the tree would snatch up Charlie Brown's kite in the "Peanuts" comic strip, this aqueous monster gobbles up my golf balls on a regular basis and wreaks havoc on my score.

As a matter of fact, if the creek were nonexistent, I would probably shoot a fairly good score on the course.  There would be no worries about errant shots landing in the drink.  Yet, come to think of it, playing would not be quite as much fun or rewarding.  You see, when I do have a good round and somehow avoid this watery grave, I am ecstatic as I come to realize how I have beaten the challenge.  The watery menace has been reduced to a trickle.  It did its best to humble me, to destroy me, but yet my limited golfing ability and my simple Spalding clubs overcame it.  Take that, you aqueous monster!

Of course, life is like that also.  If we didn't have tribulations or trials, life would be relatively easy...and perhaps a little boring.  Yet, when we overcome tribulations, there is a great sense of accomplishment, an ecstasy that we did it, we overcame, we were victorious. 

The Bible in several places talks of the value of trials and tribulations.  Romans 5:3-5 says that "...tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint...".  James 1:4 says that trials make us "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  So, the struggles, the tears, the disappointments, ultimately have the benefit of developing our character and conforming us to the image of Christ.  No wonder the Bible says earlier in James 1:2, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials."

I may still end up in the creek a time or two the next time I play golf.  But, the times I do get over it unscathed, just like overcoming tribulations in life, will make me extremely happy.