I am not a surfer – never have been – never even played one on TV. But, I AM amazed and inspired by the story of a young surfer named Bethany Hamilton. My tween-age daughters have fallen in love with her story, and we just finished watching her movie, Soul Surfer, for the third time.
Each time I’ve watched the movie, I’ve been struck by different aspects of her story, but this time, the quote at the end of the movie really caught my attention. Bethany says:
“Life is a lot like surfing. When you get caught in the impact zone, you need to get right back up because you never know what’s over the next wave. And if you have faith, anything is possible….anything at all.”
Again, I’m not a surfer, but as I understand it, the impact zone is the place where the waves break or flip over and crash back into the ocean. It’s not a place where you want to be. If you get caught there, chances are, you’re going to get tossed around and pretty banged up. The waves just keep coming, and if you don’t get out, you’ll use up all your energy just trying to stay above water and end up too exhausted to keep going.
As I see it, you have three choices when you’re in the impact zone:
(1) You can stay where you are and hope for the best. Given the potential consequences, this doesn’t seem like a very good plan.
(2) You can turn around and try to make it back to shore. On the surface, this seems like a pretty good idea. Just get out of there and get back to safety. However, if you’ve ever been in the ocean, you know that it’s hard to out-run the waves. They have a way of catching up with you and knocking you down again. So, you may make it back to shore, but when you get there, you haven’t really accomplished much and you may actually be in worse shape than you were before you headed out.
(3) You can dive under and swim out a little further. This may seem like a dangerous option since it’s taking you away from the seeming safety of the shore, but once you get past those breakers and into the open water, you can see what’s on the horizon, and you’ll be ready to catch that perfect wave and ride it all the way in to shore.
Sometimes life can throw us into the impact zone. But, that’s not the time to quit. It’s not the time to give up, turn around, and walk away. Everything in you might be screaming, “I can’t take it anymore! I can’t deal with all the things that are coming my way right now. It’s just too much!” Take a lesson from the surfers... Don’t give up - keep pressing forward. Go a little deeper. Dive in, kick for all you're worth, and head for the open water. You can do it. And, there’s sure to be a promise waiting for you out there just beyond the horizon. As Bethany said, “… you never know what’s over the next wave. And, if you have faith, anything is possible… anything at all.”
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4: 12-13
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Steve Jobs, were you ready?
Steve Jobs. Creative genius. Technology innovator. Gone much too soon at the age of 56.
It’s amazing to look at what he accomplished during his life. And, it’s sad to think of what else he might have done had he been given the privilege of living another 20 – 30 years.
As a technology product manager, I’m amazed and inspired by Steve Jobs. He was able to find that sweet spot where every product that he created delighted its user. We all strive for that, but few of us ever get there.
By all accounts, he was a happy man. He loved his job. He had a wonderful family. He had overcome obstacles that enabled him to enjoy his success even more. He seemed to have it all. And, his loss has been felt deeply around the world by people who never knew the man but were touched by his technology.
By his own admission, Steve believed in himself and followed his own intuition – religiously. That belief was at the core of his success. But, the question that has haunted me since his death is whether or not he believed in something bigger than himself – an Almighty Creator – the God of the universe.
Steve believed that death was the great “reset” button – clearing out the old and making way for the new. But, did Steve understand that death is not the end? It’s only the beginning. His 56 years here on the earth were just a blip when compared to eternity.
As I listen to all of the tributes, I can’t help but wonder whether he had the important things in order. There’s a cartoon making its way around cyberspace showing Steve Jobs at the pearly gates waiting for St. Peter to find his name and telling him that there’s an app for that. It’s a funny cartoon, but it made me wonder... When Steve stepped out of this life and into eternity - when he heard God’s voice - how did he respond? Did it go something like this?
Steve, did you know me?
I created the iPhone and the iPad.
But, did you know me?
I changed the way the world interacts with technology.
That’s great – but, did you know me? Really know me?
I was a good man – just ask anyone…
But, did you know me?
I don’t know how Steve answered. I hope and pray that it was yes.
What will your answer be?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” - Matthew 7:21-23
It’s amazing to look at what he accomplished during his life. And, it’s sad to think of what else he might have done had he been given the privilege of living another 20 – 30 years.
As a technology product manager, I’m amazed and inspired by Steve Jobs. He was able to find that sweet spot where every product that he created delighted its user. We all strive for that, but few of us ever get there.
By all accounts, he was a happy man. He loved his job. He had a wonderful family. He had overcome obstacles that enabled him to enjoy his success even more. He seemed to have it all. And, his loss has been felt deeply around the world by people who never knew the man but were touched by his technology.
By his own admission, Steve believed in himself and followed his own intuition – religiously. That belief was at the core of his success. But, the question that has haunted me since his death is whether or not he believed in something bigger than himself – an Almighty Creator – the God of the universe.
Steve believed that death was the great “reset” button – clearing out the old and making way for the new. But, did Steve understand that death is not the end? It’s only the beginning. His 56 years here on the earth were just a blip when compared to eternity.
As I listen to all of the tributes, I can’t help but wonder whether he had the important things in order. There’s a cartoon making its way around cyberspace showing Steve Jobs at the pearly gates waiting for St. Peter to find his name and telling him that there’s an app for that. It’s a funny cartoon, but it made me wonder... When Steve stepped out of this life and into eternity - when he heard God’s voice - how did he respond? Did it go something like this?
Steve, did you know me?
I created the iPhone and the iPad.
But, did you know me?
I changed the way the world interacts with technology.
That’s great – but, did you know me? Really know me?
I was a good man – just ask anyone…
But, did you know me?
I don’t know how Steve answered. I hope and pray that it was yes.
What will your answer be?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” - Matthew 7:21-23
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Tip of the Spear
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Powerful words - made even more powerful when you realize that they were spoken by a man who was later martyred for his faith – a man who lost his life at the end of a spear wielded by the very ones that he was trying to help.
Jim Elliot is one of my heroes. His journals (referenced in the book Shadow of the Almighty) give insight into the heart of a man who was completely committed to a cause. He knew the task would not be easy and he knew that there would be opposition. But, he was willing to face the battle in order to fulfill his part in the Great Commission. He was sure of God’s leading and protection even in those last moments when he lay dying on a beach deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle.
You see, we are all engaged in a battle. It’s usually not a physical battle like Jim faced (although it can be). Instead, it’s a spiritual battle being fought in the heavenlies. It’s a battle between good and evil – a fight for the souls of the peoples of the earth. It’s a movement to see God’s kingdom established here as it is in Heaven. And, when we push into new territory, the enemy doesn’t like it, and he pulls out the big guns to try to protect his stronghold.
Missionaries like Jim are at the frontline of this battle. They are the scouts sent out ahead to blaze the trail and break new ground. They live their lives at the tip of the spear. Not everyone is called to lead the charge, but everyone IS called to take part in the battle. We can pray – for God’s protection and for the success of their mission. We can give – to insure that they have the provision that is needed to complete their task. And, we can go – to come alongside them, even for a short time, to provide help and encouragement and to help sustain them in the fight.
Are you ready to take your place in the battle?
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms… Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." – Ephesians 6:11-12, 19-20
The following video provides some powerful commentary around what happened when Jim Elliot and his four colleagues (Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and Nate Saint) met the Waodani people.
Now I See It Well - God's Leading and Protection
Jim Elliot is one of my heroes. His journals (referenced in the book Shadow of the Almighty) give insight into the heart of a man who was completely committed to a cause. He knew the task would not be easy and he knew that there would be opposition. But, he was willing to face the battle in order to fulfill his part in the Great Commission. He was sure of God’s leading and protection even in those last moments when he lay dying on a beach deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle.
You see, we are all engaged in a battle. It’s usually not a physical battle like Jim faced (although it can be). Instead, it’s a spiritual battle being fought in the heavenlies. It’s a battle between good and evil – a fight for the souls of the peoples of the earth. It’s a movement to see God’s kingdom established here as it is in Heaven. And, when we push into new territory, the enemy doesn’t like it, and he pulls out the big guns to try to protect his stronghold.
Missionaries like Jim are at the frontline of this battle. They are the scouts sent out ahead to blaze the trail and break new ground. They live their lives at the tip of the spear. Not everyone is called to lead the charge, but everyone IS called to take part in the battle. We can pray – for God’s protection and for the success of their mission. We can give – to insure that they have the provision that is needed to complete their task. And, we can go – to come alongside them, even for a short time, to provide help and encouragement and to help sustain them in the fight.
Are you ready to take your place in the battle?
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms… Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." – Ephesians 6:11-12, 19-20
The following video provides some powerful commentary around what happened when Jim Elliot and his four colleagues (Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and Nate Saint) met the Waodani people.
Now I See It Well - God's Leading and Protection
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