Where Has All The Fun Gone?

About five or six years ago, my family decided to dive head-first into swimming as a competitive sport. For three months each winter and two months every summer, swimming pretty much dominates the landscape of our lives. Recently, however at a summer league swim meet, I noticed a disturbing trend that left me reflecting on my own life.

In the course of competition, it appeared that those who only participate in the sport in a more recreational nature seemed to find more joy in the race, more passion in the performance than those who have adopted swimming as a year-round venture. Granted, those are the ones who realize that most races are won and lost in the training pool. They are also aware that most cheers go unnoticed under the water and each participant is limited on how much “faster” they can really go in a given race. Still, these are the ones who seem complacent to art of competition, the thrill of the final lap and the joy of winning even a preliminary heat.

It made me think about my own life. I’ve walked the Christian journey for a number of years – even “professionally” if you will. I wonder - have I lost that joy in the journey, that passion for performance? I’ve seen numerous prayers for healing seemingly go unanswered. I’ve watched Christians ignore the things that really matter in exchange for the temporal. First hand, I’ve witnessed those who give their lives to ministry burned out and spiritually numb from the experience.

Yes, I know that the competition is often won or lost in the school of theology and Bible study. I am aware that emotions are shallow and fleeting and can’t be trusted. It is the Object of our faith that guides us to the finish line in final victory.

But, has my training negated my passion? Has the joy of running (or swimming) the race been diminished by the inevitable outcome? Has the whole process become commonplace to me?

Lord, give me the discipline of the committed athlete, but in it all may I never lose the simple joy that should come with each lap completed. And may the smallest of victories thrill my heart as a token of Your love for me.

ISN'T COMMENCEMENT A BEGINNING?

I had the opportunity this past weekend to witness first-hand two graduation celebrations of a completely different sort. Each occurred within the course of a single afternoon in the same auditorium.

The first ceremony celebrated the life of a 43-year old lady who had graduated from the pains of cancer that ravaged her body. As her tassel was turned, she received a “Well Done, Good & Faithful Servant” from her Creator. Ironically, she devoted the career portion of her life to educate high school students preparing for life.

The students that filled the room an hour later may not have been the ones she taught, but they represented the ideals that she faithfully instilled in her pupils. This second ceremony was much different from the first. It celebrated the lives of those who have completed this phase of schooling and eagerly await the next chapter of life.

It all reminded me of my own high school graduation – 25 years ago now. The day after my graduation was one of the loneliest days of my young life. Why? Because, the bus still stopped to pick up the kid next door and my parents still went to work. Basically, the world around me went on as normal oblivious to my achievements. This is often the case as we trade this life for the next.

So, as we honor the accomplishments of our graduates, may it cause us to appreciate every moment of life that the Lord has given us and may we find the time to celebrate the ones we love. After all, isn't every "commencement" the beginning of the next thing God has for us?

Worth Fighting For

Every afternoon, some time between 4:30-5:00, WBFJ honors marriages across the Triad with the WBFJ Love Handles Anniversary Giveaway. It’s more than just another radio contest – It’s a celebration of success, commitment and love that lasts because it is real. In fact, regardless what date your anniversary falls on, each day should be a celebration of your marriage.

My wife (Diane) and I celebrated our anniversary last week - but, there is another milestone that has been reached today worth honoring in a BIG way. A couple very close to my wife and I are celebrating their silver anniversary today. Congratulations! However, the past 25 years have not been without their share of blemishes, as this couple has endured 2 periods of separation and what appeared to be certain divorce….BUT GOD….receives all glory for a relationship restored when it humanly looked almost impossible. Isn’t that what God can do – when we let Him?

So, whether it’s Warren Barfield’s “pretzel on the floor” or Ray Barone’s “suitcase on the stairs” – how many times do we allow the trivial become the larger-than-life obstacles preventing real intimacy in our relationships? Do we deny our Creator access into our lives because His purposes are blurred by our inability to see beyond our selfish desires?

I want to be the first to stand in the ovation for our friends celebrating 25 years today. I hope to join you in a few years as we mark every milestone of marriage in praise to the One who chose to honor this institution by making it the standard for His Son’s relationship with us. Who cares when your anniversary is, celebrate your marriage today…God does.


“Love’s not a fight – It’s something worth fighting for”