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Mike's
Monthly Memo
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| I WOULD RISK EVERYTHING FOR THE WIN | ||||||||
| I'm embarrassed and maybe even ashamed to estimate how much time I have spent over the last five years working on aerobatics. Ground prep, maintenance, creating the perfect freestyle sequence as well as my actual practice time in the air. I can look at the engine tachometer and see that over the last year and a half, I have recorded just about 300 hrs. of flight time. But that wouldn't even be one quarter of the time I have dedicated to this sport. I can honestly confess that I eat and sleep this sport. | ||||||||
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I'm just finishing the book "Every Man Gods Man" by Stephen Arterburn. It's a book exploring a Man's Christian Integrity and how to improve it. In this book, I ran across something that hit me hard. It was a sharp reminder of where my priorities should be, and how they have slipped back into some old and dangerous habits. |
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The quote is from a man named Phil, while he was speaking to a men's group. |
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| "As men
we love to risk, we love a good challenge-a mountain to climb, a distance to be traveled. We love to win. We like how winning makes us feel and how it makes us look to others. Well, that was me, I lived to win as well. I would risk everything for the win, but tragically, I would risk nothing for my savior." |
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| Because I have spent so much time preparing for contests and airshows, I feel ready to compete, to give that perfect show. To astound (well maybe not astound) but to impress those on the ground with some crisp accurate flying. But if God put me in a place on a moments notice to share with someone who needs to hear the word of God, or if he put me in an overwhelming position where I needed to stand totally on my faith and strength in what I say I believe, would I be ready? Have I spent the time I need, and do I take the time each day that is required of me to be the man of God he is calling me to be? | ||||||||
| No way. | ||||||||
| I believe I'm in the place God wants me right now, to fly aerobatics. But I also believe this comes later in the list of priorities and well after my relationship with my Savior and my family. | ||||||||
| Matthew 6:33 But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. | ||||||||
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Like Phil, I would do anything for the win, "for a sale". I need to keep reminding myself of my priorities. God has and will continue to bless me in my flying. But first, I need to prepare myself for his mission just as I have prepared myself for aerobatics. I need to eat and sleep in his camp and be willing to risk everything for him. Mike |
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