Press On

I was talking with a friend of mine over coffee this morning about the habits in our lives. We are both runners and push each other to keep putting in miles and improving our fitness. We also encourage each other in our spiritual life and the pursuit of things that are eternal. There are enjoyable parts of each of these areas of our life even though we readily admit our struggles in consistency of effort and success.

I was sharing how I had run in Arizona last week on our mission trip and how difficult it was at an elevation of 6500 feet above sea level. On one of my running days out there, there was also a headwind of 25-45 miles per hour. Needless to say, it wasn't one of my best days on the road, but I persevered and finished anyway.

The realization hit us both that this isn't too different from our spiritual focus. There are times when everything we do seems to come easy. Understanding Scripture almost seems second nature, our prayers are focused and powerful, and even meditation is extremely fruitful. There are also times when it seems as if I am reading the Bible in a language I've never seen before, I can't keep a prayer focused for ten seconds, and any attempt to meditate is quickly squashed by my own energy.

I don't stop running when I have a difficult day(s) on the roads, but I push through and then get ready for the next one with an anticipation of it being better. I'm learning to do the same thing with my spiritual practices. Even though I may get frustrated with what I feel is a lack of progress, I push through and get ready for the next day with the anticipation of it being better. It may not radically improve in one day, but I believe it will happen if I keep working on it without giving up too soon.

Conquered It

A year ago today my wife and I climbed Camelback Mountain in Arizona. We had "attempted" to climb it several years ago and didn't get very far before giving up. When we realized we would have the opportunity to challenge the peak again we took advantage of it. We packed our water and snacks, put our sunblock on, dressed appropriately, and headed up. A few hours later we stood victoriously at the top of a mountain which had previously defeated us. I attribute our success on this attempt to better preparation and improved physical fitness.

Climbing the mountain was a highlight of our year and a testament to our stubborn desire to succeed. I feel confident in saying we'll never forget that physical milestone and will always celebrate the completion of our goal. It's a reminder to me of what is possible if we are willing to be better prepared and to keep pushing onward even though the trail is difficult.

Pushing Through

I watched my favorite college team (go Gators) play their football game today against a supposedly over-matched opponent. It was supposed to be an easy contest to keep them sharp before the big game against our in-state rival next weekend. In fact, the experts had projected Florida as 31 point favorites which means this game should have been over shortly after halftime. 

Regardless of what the football gurus predict however, the game isn't played out in discussion and opinions but on the field. The opposing team wasn't going to forfeit the game because someone decided they were supposed to lose by a wide margin. They were going to compete with a fierce desire to win combined with growing confidence as they realized the opportunity in front of them. Even though they came up short in the end (thank goodness) they still showed what can happen with a little bit of tenacity and discipline. 

What seemingly insurmountable odds can be overcome in our personal lives with some confidence and discipline? What mindset do we need to be able to endure when everything seems to be working against us? Will we persevere when things don't go as easily as we hoped or will we cave under pressure? Some days we will have to work harder to be successful than others. 

A Goal in Mind

This morning I got up to run and was about to stretch when I noticed the downpour outside. I'm not opposed to running in the rain, but the thunder and lightning influenced me to change my plans and head to the gym. If given a choice I would always choose to run outside over a treadmill, but I needed to get my miles in and this was the only way it was going to happen today.

Treadmill running is a bit monotonous (even with ESPN on the screen in front of me) and it feels like it takes longer to complete my distance. The lack of scenery change makes it boring and tends to tire me out more quickly. Today I hit a point about two miles before my intended mileage where I just didn't want to run any more. My legs had gotten a little heavy and I thought about calling it quits. The reason I kept running was that I knew I had a big race in a month and this run was an important part of my prep. Knowing what I was aiming at gave me the incentive to push forward.

There are a lot of times when we want to quit in life. We might be frustrated in our relationships, feel as if life changes we have made aren't working, or don't see that our daily efforts are making a difference. We have reached a point where our legs are heavy and it takes a great deal of energy to keep moving. If we don't have a vision of what we are striving towards it can be easy to give up when we get tired. Working for a long term goal helps us persevere through short term difficulties. Having a mental picture of where we are going gives us the strength to push through.

Find Your Second Wind

I read a running article today which shared a simple yet complex bit of wisdom. This author wrote, "Everyone has a second wind. Most people just don’t run long enough to find it.” I can relate to this from a runner's perspective as I've often felt exhausted on a run only to find another burst of energy that carried me through to the end. In those moments I had to fight the urge to quit and only then was I able to find the second wind that enabled me to finish strongly.

We need that same mentality of perseverance in other areas of life too. Without an attitude of endurance we can give up far too quickly on relationships, jobs, changes in behavior, and new plans. Sadly, we will often decide to quit before we find out what we're really capable of doing. When we are willing to push through barriers of resistance, we will discover we're able to go further than we thought. Our character will be stronger and we'll be more confident in our ability to persevere as a result.

It's Rasslin' Time!

When I was in junior high we all had to take a PE class which sometimes involved team sports and at other times focused on individual athletics. There was always a wrestling unit for 2-3 weeks that very few of us looked forward to (or perhaps it was just my own dread.) Our PE coach would put us all in weight classes and then pair us off to wrestle on the big mat. Not only were you being asked to grapple with a classmate who you may or may not know very well (but soon would), but it was done in front of the entire class. Your peers (30-40 people) would sit around the mat and watch as you grappled with a classmate in ways that would cause a fight if you did it outside of the gym. There were only two ways this was going to work out: you were either going to embarrass someone or be embarrassed. My athletic abilities didn’t kick in until several years later and I almost always ended up on the defeated side of embarrassment.

The idea of wrestling is still a difficult one for me, but not necessarily on a physical level. Now most of my wrestling is in prayer as I struggle through asking God for the right things and in the right time. I tell people constantly that prayer doesn’t have to be difficult, but that we can just talk to God and He is thrilled to have our attention and conversation. I still believe that to be true, but I also know there are times when we have to battle through difficult questions and wait for answers. I am wrestling with God in prayer now and it isn’t easy. It would be simpler to tap out and quit, but I know that isn’t the best solution. I’ve got to push through even though I may get tired, sweaty, and frustrated. It’s in the act of wrestling that God shares His answers, reveals His nature, and shapes my character.

Real Commitment

Commitment is an interesting word. I think we use it more often than we actually align ourselves with its true meaning. I know I’ve watered it down in my own life depending on the circumstances around me. Many of us have turned it from a word signifying our resolute pledge to endure into something that can be altered or broken whenever it suits us.

How do we determine our level of commitment? It’s going to be revealed in our adherence to physical, spiritual, and relationship principles through uneven times. Are you willing to run in hot weather, high humidity, and sore muscles? Are you going to choose the healthy option for eating even if other foods sit untouched in front of you? Are you committed to your marriage no matter how encouraging or flirtatious someone else might be? Will you persevere through obstacles seemingly preventing you from reaching your goals? Are you committed to your church even if you don’t agree with everything that is happening? Are you committed to following Christ even when your prayers don’t seem to be answered and you feel lost and confused?

The depth of our commitment is rarely seen on the smooth portions of the road. it’s only when we encounter obstacles and rough passage that we find out where are real allegiance lies. Decide what you are truly committed to and be ready to stick with it when it isn’t easy. This is the difference in true dedication and convenience.

The Last Three

I've been out of commission on my normal running for the last five weeks due to an injury. I've written a few times about how disappointed I have been in the length of recovery time. It's also been frustrating to have a good rhythm of running knocked off course. I have been tracking my miles with an app for my iPhone and when I hurt my knee I was at 197 miles for the year. While that may not seem like a lot to some people, I felt it was a big deal.

I had actually been looking forward to hitting the 200 mile mark especially since it had taken me far less time than it did to reach the first 100. I was in a groove as an "actual runner" and was planning ahead for faster pace and farther distances. It was not until this past week that I felt comfortable enough to hit the treadmill and get those last three miles. I don't discount the distance just because it took longer to achieve. In fact, I appreciate those last three miles even more. It's making me reevaluate my approach and to think more carefully about how I treat my aging body.

I will still celebrate this mileage, but will also gain greater respect for the endurance and perseverance it will take to hit the next 100. I still hope it won't take as long to move forward as these last three did. I suppose that's a decent lesson for a lot of goals in life. Sometimes it will come easily and other times we'll have to be more patient to see the results we're looking for.

Bouncy

You don't have to live very long to discover that life doesn't always move according to your plan. No matter how well we might script things out or the contingencies we try to anticipate there will be missteps along the way. There is no denying the frustration caused by these unexpected twists even with thorough preparation. It's actually perfectly acceptable to be somewhat befuddled by these circumstances. If we want to overcome them however, we've got to learn to be flexibly adaptable. Our potential to move forward in these continually unpredictable scenarios is measured in our ability to bounce back. Developing the skill of thinking on our feet and standing firm when the ground shifts around us will help us be more resilient in uncertainty.

We will run into hard, unexpected obstacles which knock us down occasionally. Learning to bounce back in the right direction helps us overcome them.

Just Wait a Minute

I meet a friend of mine each Tuesday morning for coffee and conversation. It's an important part of the week for both of us as men striving to stay on God's path for our lives. We are both early morning people so we meet at a local coffee shop when they open at 5:30. Inevitably, I am there a few minutes early and sit in my car waiting for them to open.

A truck pulled in next to me today and the driver got out to walk up the door. It was just a few minutes before they normally open for business and when the guy tugged on the door it was still locked. The disgust on his face was obvious as he walked away, got in his truck, and peeled out. Naturally, as soon as he drove away they opened the doors right on time. In his haste, he missed his opportunity.

How many times are we in a hurry and cause ourselves to miss an opportunity? We might feel like it needs to be presented to us at the exact moment that we want it, but we don't always get to dictate when events occur. If we are willing to show a little patience we might even find that we don't have to wait long for something to happen. When we aren't able to wait, we might miss our chance by just a few minutes. A little perseverance can be fruitful.

Keep Swinging

"My motto was always to keep swinging… In a slump... 

the only thing to do was keep swinging."

Hank Aaron

When you don't know what to do, keep doing what is right. When things don't seem to be going your way, keep doing what is right. When your pace of life is uncertain, keep doing what is right. When we are struggling to maintain our focus, keep doing what is right. When we are completely at a loss in our relationships, we need to keep doing what is right. 

The measure of the character of a person is in their ability to consistently do what is right even in difficult circumstances. Our steadfast commitment will help us endure through trying times.

Incomplete Vision

People often talk about having great vision for family, ministry, and community. I am a believer in being focused on that vision and putting all of your energies into seeing it become a success. The reality is that it's almost natural in the course of pursuing vision to run into roadblocks. When we find a huge obstacle in our way or feel that our vision is incomplete, there are some options in front of us:

1. Adjust our strategy
2. Adjust our vision
3. Abandon our vision
4. Persevere





Ranting about incomplete vision won't solve the problem. We either make adjustments that might be necessary for the next step, adjust our overall aim, or push through the difficulty to reach our goal. Each situation might call for a different answer, but stopping in the middle of the road won't accomplish anything.

Whatever It Takes

Life does not work out exactly as predicted. I suppose that other people find themselves more firmly entrenched on their projected life path, but I doubt that many of us are exactly where we intended to be. Financial markets crash, we receive an unexpected diagnosis, children make very poor choices, jobs are lost, and other tragedies ensue. These are big events that can easily derail our intended life trajectory. This doesn't just pertain to the "big vision" for our life either. Often the smaller details of projects and desires don't end up where you wanted them to be either. Tasks become much more difficult than first imagined and firm planning becomes much more unstable. It can be very unsettling when it seems as if this happens all at once.

I wish that I could share four easy steps to make sure these things don't happen, but there aren't any easy solutions. We do have the power to choose our reaction. We can allow unexpected occurrences (both big and small) to derail our vision or we can decide to adjust and overcome. When it is something that is incredibly important to us we approach it with tenacity and focus. We decide that what we are doing (short term and long term) is valuable enough to do whatever it takes to see it survive and succeed. It's this attitude that enables us to overcome obstacles and stay focused on a positive end result. 

Big Shot

I love the playoffs in any sport. It has drama, upsets, tension, and big moments. No matter the sport, we see the superstars rise to the top, but we also inevitably see an relatively unknown athlete have a minute in the spotlight. Sometimes this occasion wins a game or changes momentum, but it is very rarely expected.

In last night's NBA playoff game between the Houston Rockets and Portland Trailblazers, a player named Troy Daniels hit a huge shot. This was a make-or-break moment for Houston as they would have most likely been out of the playoffs very soon if they lost this game. In a big moment, Troy hit a three pointer to give his team the lead. I think it is safe to say that he was the most unlikely hero last night. He had only played in five (5!) total games so far this season and yet was able to come through in the clutch.

While Troy might not been expected to hit a game winning shot it was also not the first three pointer of his life. He once made 11 3-pointers in a game in college and took 599 3-point shots while playing the Developmental League. This was his first opportunity on the big stage, but he had been preparing for it his entire career.

We might have the "opportunity of a lifetime" fall into our lap, but we have a better chance of finding that opportunity if we're preparing for it all along. Sitting on the sidelines without developing our skills won't get us into the game. We've got to be willing to devote the hours to practice if we expect to find success when the opportunity arrives.

My Best (Or Not)

There are some days when it seems like I am operating at maximum intensity and capability. These are the days when I feel like I relate well to people, I see how all the details fit into the big picture, my productivity is off-the-charts, and everything gels together. I love these days when all the parts of my life seem to fit cohesively together without any blurred lines or uncomfortable overlap. Unfortunately, this "perfect" type of day doesn't happen very often.

Most days I am able to do certain things well and then find ways to struggle through the other parts with some degree of completion. There are also those days (fortunately they are rare) where it seems that I can't hold a conversation with myself without communication issues. These are the highly frustrating times when it feels like everything I touch becomes exponentially more difficult.

The truth is that no matter what kind of day it is I still need to persevere. I can't quit life because I'm struggling in my communication or having a hard time thinking beyond the tasks of today. As a leader in my calling and in my family, there will be days when I have to battle through with less than my best stuff. While it might exhaust me more than the high-performance days, I'm sure that I will be made better through the struggle than when it all comes easily. I know that's the truth, but sometimes I need the reminder when it all seems to be an extremely difficult journey.

Give Me a Reason

The expression that I have heard quoted in tough times is, "Everything happens for a reason." I agree 100% with that statement. Unfortunately for us, many times the reason something is happening to us is because we made a stupid choice. We are the ones who didn't think things through, didn't anticipate the results of our decisions, or we took a path regardless of the consequences. There are other times when our lives are affected by the stupid choices of others. We become their collateral damage from self-centered, poor decisions. Even in these circumstances I think we want to believe that there is an underlying reason behind it all. We want to believe that someone more powerful than us is orchestrating things around us and working through our poor decision making and apparently random life events.

I think what we are actually looking for is a spark of hope. We want to know that a good God is able to
work through all of our circumstances and lead us to something better. When we're struggling with things that are completely beyond our control and influence (economy tanking, disastrous diagnosis, unexpected death) we want to know that God is still loving and caring. We want to know that He is working all around us for our betterment. We need to grasp tightly onto the offer of a glimmer of hope when it seems all hope is gone. If we can believe that there is a greater purpose for us we are able to withstand the difficulty of the present and anticipate the future. We are hoping that at some point things will make sense because if that isn't an option we aren't sure we can keep going.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who 

love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

No Shortcuts

"Our tendency as human beings is to favor the quick over the slow, the cheap over the expensive, and the easy over the difficult. That’s why we often seek the fastest shortcut to the biggest bang." Brad Lomenick


It's only in the most rare of circumstances that success comes quickly. For genuine, satisfactory success there is a great deal of patience, learning, failure, and character shaping that lead to that point. It requires a vision for our future, identifying the pathway to achieve it, and the hard work of preparation and personal molding to make it a reality.

I believe that success doesn't come to everyone because of the length of the process to find it. We tend to be impatient people who want results immediately after our efforts. It's a reflection of the microwave culture we live in--expecting instantaneous results for minimal effort. The most worthwhile things are worth waiting for and we'll value them even more after our sustained, often lengthy, efforts.

Making Adjustments

"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face."  Mike Tyson 

In his prime, Mike Tyson was arguably the most powerful boxer of all time. His heavyweight fights didn't last long as he decimated his opponents in record time. Opposing boxers would claim that they had the strategy to defeat him and then would quickly be knocked out. His attack was devastating to almost all planned maneuvers.

I like to plan ahead, but can attest to the fact that even the most carefully thought-out plans don't always happen like we anticipated. There will be moments in life where we feel as if we have been hit in the face and find that our strategies won't work. This may take the form of a devastating family death, a terminal diagnosis, an unexpected job loss, or the deterioration of a relationship. All of these are major life events that derail our well laid plans and expectations for our future. You are now left with two options: be knocked flat and be unable to carry on or resolve to adjust your plan and keep swinging. 

The punches are coming and we need to find the inner strength to keep fighting back.

The Tale of Success

There are many successful leaders that I look up to. I admire the organizations that they lead and the scope of their influence. I will even admit to a bit of covetous curiosity as I see what they accomplish and the impact they are able to have through their efforts. I admire their innovation and how it appears that so much of what they do brings tangible, positive results. 

There is nothing wrong with appreciating what these leaders are doing, but if I only pay homage to their current level of visible success I am neglecting the hard work that got them to this point. No one who is prosperous (financially or relationally) reached that level without enduring hardships, learning from failure, and persevering through tough times. A happy marriage, a thriving church, a profitable business, an influential mentor, and a winning coach all have definable successes. They each also have stories of striving through difficulties to be where they are today. 

Admire and respect what you see in front of you in the present, but understand that the hard lessons of the past were essential in the process. When you are seeking this same level of prosperity make sure you are ready to endure the tough trials that make it a reality.

Unrewarded

There reaches a point in every professional athletic season when it's apparent that some teams are not going to make the post season. It's in that moment that a decision has to be made by each player on that team. They can choose to continue working hard in preparation even though their ultimate goal cannot be reached or take the option of going through the motions and doing just enough to collect a paycheck. Either decision will reveal the depth of character of a person and their true motivation for their profession. Continuing to work with intense focus without immediate reward will often reveal more about a person than their performance in success.

How do you perform when it seems like a season is lost? Do you maintain the same focus when immediate rewards are not as evident? A leader of integrity will commit consistent energy and effort in positive and negative circumstances. Perseverance in adversity will strengthen and reveal our character.