Endurance
This might be my least favorite day of the year. This is "spring forward" day. It's the start of daylight savings, the day when we lose an hour of sleep. It's the day when I get off of work, and all of a sudden, it's midnight instead of 11. It's the morning after, and I woke up at 9:45. Church starts at 10. Despite that, I managed to roll out of bed, shower, rally the kids, grab a vanilla latte at the espresso stand, and make it to church by 10:15. Impressive, huh? I'm really glad I went.
The message by Pastor Peter Van Breda at Bellevue Foursquare Church was about endurance. It really spoke to me. I know a thing or two about endurance. He talked about how it seems like every time we achieve a little victory in life, we are then presented with a trial to perservere through. It almost works like it's meant to be that way. He discussed some specific characteristics of dealing with trials in life: humility, compassion and faith.
A few years ago, I travelled to China with a fascinating group of students who were studying the topic of Christianity in China. And you talk about strong faith. Chinese Christians risk being jailed for their faith. Just showing up at church puts them at risk. Pastor Van Breda and I met with one Christian leader in the city of Xian, and it was complete cloak and dagger stuff. We had to follow two blocks behind him, and make sure we weren't being followed by the secret police. We were then secreted into a private room at a restaurant which was considered safe. It was very strange to see such restrictions on what you are legally allowed to believe. On that trip, we also visited a large Christian church in Shanghai. After attending secret services in Beijing and Xian, we wondered how this guy was able to operate this huge, markedly Christian church in downtown Shanghai. Well, he isn't anymore. The government shut him down, and made him discontinue his ministry. He says he thought that he was getting so big and so powerful, that the government wouldn't want to take him on. That was pride talking, and that caused his fall. The government shut him off like a light switch. A little victory, followed by a trial.
I have dealt with pride issues in my life. One of those times was when I was working at Fox Sports Net. I was rapidly promoted to a primary anchor role there. I was getting some national exposure for the first time in my career, and started believing some of the hype. I started feeling that somehow I was entitled to this success, that it was my destiny finally coming to fruition. I think I treated some people poorly along the way. My pride was getting the best of me. Then came the trial. After three years there, my contract wasn't renewed. Suddenly, I was out of work. I was hurt and confused and bewildered.
I had a hockey game a few days after receiving that news, and I remember sitting on the bench before the game. I was all by myself as the Zambini resurfaced the ice. I closed my eyes, leaned my helmet up against my stick and whispered, "What is this about, God? What are you doing here?" After a moment of silence, I clearly heard a response:
"I'm sorry it had to be this way, but I had to get your attention."
That was it. All I heard. My attention? Why? For what? I had to do some soul-searching. I soon realized what it meant. I needed to be humbled. Once I stopped talking, and started listening, things started to turn my way once again.
I remember very clearly calling out to God, claiming one specific job at KCPQ to be mine. I had no reason to think I would get that job. I did make a call to the news director there, and sent him a DVD of my work, but hadn't heard anything back. I was driving home after a run, soaking in sweat, screaming to God, "I claim that job in the name of Jesus. That job is mine. I consider it done. Thanks, God." I went home and jumped in the shower. Through the sound of spraying water, I heard Catherine calling my name. "It's KCPQ", she said. And a new chapter in my life began. The job I ended up getting at KCPQ was even better than the one I had claimed. In many respects, it was better than the one I lost at Fox Sports. God works like that.
I've talked many times about how my journey through cancer humbled me. And through that humility, I have been able to reach many people on a whole new level. Through humility has come compassion. I am honored to be allowed into the lives of others. I think part of the reason why folks can relate to my struggle is because it is all so remarkably ordinary and common. We all understand trial. But it's really all about endurance.
As I continue training for the Seattle Rock n Roll marathon, I think about mile 20 a lot. Or mile 22. If you've never been there, you don't know what it's like after running for 3 hours--or more-- and seeing the sign denoting the 22 mile mark. You know what you are feeling at that point? Pain. A lot of pain. And you're thinking, "Really? 4 more miles? Oh no! I will never do this again. No chance" Your thighs are aching. Your calves are cramping. Your stomach is queasy. Your feet are swollen and sore. But you keep going. You look at all the people around you, looking tired and fatigued. They are gonna make it. And so are you. You will make it to the finish line. You will crawl to the finish line if you have to. That's endurance.
Then the finish is in sight. You sprint to the line. You have no idea where that energy came from. You raise your hands over your head in triumph. Someone places a medal around your neck.
And you think, "That was awesome! I can't wait to do it again!"
The message by Pastor Peter Van Breda at Bellevue Foursquare Church was about endurance. It really spoke to me. I know a thing or two about endurance. He talked about how it seems like every time we achieve a little victory in life, we are then presented with a trial to perservere through. It almost works like it's meant to be that way. He discussed some specific characteristics of dealing with trials in life: humility, compassion and faith.
A few years ago, I travelled to China with a fascinating group of students who were studying the topic of Christianity in China. And you talk about strong faith. Chinese Christians risk being jailed for their faith. Just showing up at church puts them at risk. Pastor Van Breda and I met with one Christian leader in the city of Xian, and it was complete cloak and dagger stuff. We had to follow two blocks behind him, and make sure we weren't being followed by the secret police. We were then secreted into a private room at a restaurant which was considered safe. It was very strange to see such restrictions on what you are legally allowed to believe. On that trip, we also visited a large Christian church in Shanghai. After attending secret services in Beijing and Xian, we wondered how this guy was able to operate this huge, markedly Christian church in downtown Shanghai. Well, he isn't anymore. The government shut him down, and made him discontinue his ministry. He says he thought that he was getting so big and so powerful, that the government wouldn't want to take him on. That was pride talking, and that caused his fall. The government shut him off like a light switch. A little victory, followed by a trial.
I have dealt with pride issues in my life. One of those times was when I was working at Fox Sports Net. I was rapidly promoted to a primary anchor role there. I was getting some national exposure for the first time in my career, and started believing some of the hype. I started feeling that somehow I was entitled to this success, that it was my destiny finally coming to fruition. I think I treated some people poorly along the way. My pride was getting the best of me. Then came the trial. After three years there, my contract wasn't renewed. Suddenly, I was out of work. I was hurt and confused and bewildered.
I had a hockey game a few days after receiving that news, and I remember sitting on the bench before the game. I was all by myself as the Zambini resurfaced the ice. I closed my eyes, leaned my helmet up against my stick and whispered, "What is this about, God? What are you doing here?" After a moment of silence, I clearly heard a response:
"I'm sorry it had to be this way, but I had to get your attention."
That was it. All I heard. My attention? Why? For what? I had to do some soul-searching. I soon realized what it meant. I needed to be humbled. Once I stopped talking, and started listening, things started to turn my way once again.
I remember very clearly calling out to God, claiming one specific job at KCPQ to be mine. I had no reason to think I would get that job. I did make a call to the news director there, and sent him a DVD of my work, but hadn't heard anything back. I was driving home after a run, soaking in sweat, screaming to God, "I claim that job in the name of Jesus. That job is mine. I consider it done. Thanks, God." I went home and jumped in the shower. Through the sound of spraying water, I heard Catherine calling my name. "It's KCPQ", she said. And a new chapter in my life began. The job I ended up getting at KCPQ was even better than the one I had claimed. In many respects, it was better than the one I lost at Fox Sports. God works like that.
I've talked many times about how my journey through cancer humbled me. And through that humility, I have been able to reach many people on a whole new level. Through humility has come compassion. I am honored to be allowed into the lives of others. I think part of the reason why folks can relate to my struggle is because it is all so remarkably ordinary and common. We all understand trial. But it's really all about endurance.
As I continue training for the Seattle Rock n Roll marathon, I think about mile 20 a lot. Or mile 22. If you've never been there, you don't know what it's like after running for 3 hours--or more-- and seeing the sign denoting the 22 mile mark. You know what you are feeling at that point? Pain. A lot of pain. And you're thinking, "Really? 4 more miles? Oh no! I will never do this again. No chance" Your thighs are aching. Your calves are cramping. Your stomach is queasy. Your feet are swollen and sore. But you keep going. You look at all the people around you, looking tired and fatigued. They are gonna make it. And so are you. You will make it to the finish line. You will crawl to the finish line if you have to. That's endurance.
Then the finish is in sight. You sprint to the line. You have no idea where that energy came from. You raise your hands over your head in triumph. Someone places a medal around your neck.
And you think, "That was awesome! I can't wait to do it again!"
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