Core scripture: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3-5)

I love the story of Rocky Balboa. 

When Sylvester Stallone wrote the original script in three days, he had no clue it would be such a hit.  My parents claim it was the first movie I ever saw as a baby.  They took me to the drive in, and I was told I cried through a bit of the movie. 

Maybe I was beginning to discover that we all need a bit of Rocky in our own lives.

It is hard to pin down my favorite scene in the Rocky saga, but if I had to pick one, it would be his motivational speech to his son in Rocky Balboa.  Standing on the cold streets of Philadelphia, Rocky confronts his son and calls him out, teaching him one of the most priceless lessons we can all learn in life.

Never, never quit.

You know, there have been moments in my life when I have wanted to quit.  I think we all have those moments if we are honest.  Satan starts trying to sneak in, spewing his nasty lies, and if you are not careful, you begin to believe them.  I have heard his lies and believed them for too long. 

It is time to rise up.  It is time to flip the script on the perspective the world creeps into.  There are some who take one on the chin and just stay down, wallowing in their own self-pity.  Me?  I may be down, but I am not out.  It reminds me of that first Rocky movie. 

Rocky wasn’t even supposed to be in the same ring as Apollo Creed.  Apollo, brash and at the peak of his athletic prowess, taunts Rocky relentlessly until their epic battle finally comes.  Rocky matches Apollo punch for punch, round for round, but there is a moment when Apollo’s uppercut sends Rocky to the mat in defeat.

The blow would have knocked out any normal fighter.  Writhing in pain, Rocky crawls on the mat to the ropes, hoping to hear encouragement from his beloved trainer, Micky.  Micky cares so deeply for his beloved fighter that he wants to end the pain for him.  He is ready to throw in the towel.

“Stay down!  Stay down!”

Rocky ignores the thought of quitting.  He dramatically grabs the ropes and begins to pull himself up.  A beaten and bruised Apollo looks over in amazement as Rocky is standing once again.  He waves off the referee and motions for Apollo to bring it one last time.  They end up slugging their way through one last round.  Neither fighter gave up.

At the bell, Apollo and Rocky embrace.  Apollo declares, “There ain’t gonna be no rematch,” to which Rocky replies, “Don’t want one.”  There is a mutual respect between the two men as they await the judges’ decision.  When Apollo is announced the winner by split decision, Rocky could care less.  He dramatically is screaming for his wife, Adrian. 

That is kinda how I feel right now. 

Except my life is not the Hollywood script like Rocky’s.  We all go through hard times. Panic sets in.  You start to realize the severity of the situation.  All these questions start flooding your mind, and if you are not careful, sometimes it can be defeating.

What is going to happen?  Where am I going?  What is God trying to tell me through all this?  What am I learning about faith?  Trust?  Fear?  Most importantly, how can God use me for His glory?  What skills has He blessed me with that I can serve others with?

I thought He wanted me to teach, but now I question that.  Maybe I could be used in a broader way outside of teaching, impacting the Kingdom in a different way?

Not sure what that is, but I cannot wait to discover it. 

An old Chinese proverb says when you get knocked down seven times, get up eight times.  I have no choice.  I am lifting myself off the mat again, and I am going to keep fighting.  Not just for my family.  For the Kingdom.  For all those out there who need a story to inspire them.  I want my story to be that story that motivates others to keep on keeping on. 

He is not through with me yet.

God has shown up in remarkable ways over the past week for me.  He started an FCA huddle that I know is in His hands now.  He has given me a loving support net of friends, family, and neighbors who are praying for me.  He has shown up daily in my quiet time, through devotions and prayer, each message more impactful than the last.  He has even shown up through friends I just met.

Do you want to hear a cool story?  Get your Kleenex.

As many of you know, I workout with a group of men a few days a week in a free workout group called F3.  It was two Tuesdays ago that a father of two young boys joined our group.  He works for the railroad in sales and real estate, so his F3 nickname became Percy.  Yes, that is a Thomas the Train reference.  He loves it.

So, Percy shows up at F3 again this week.  We had not even shared a conversation more than, “Hey, man, welcome to the group!”  Every F3 meeting ends with a Circle of Trust.  The men circle up, share a quick devotion, and finish by becoming a bit vulnerable through prayer requests.  I was man enough to admit it.  I had to.

My hand went up, and I told about my current job situation.

You could hear the collective groan from the circle all at once.  Steam rose from our bodies into the cool of the morning air.  You could hear a pin drop.  Back to the House rallied the men in the middle for prayer, and Flowbee started praying.  You couldn’t ask for a better support net than those men.

When we said amen, things wrapped up.  We did the flag pic and went our separate ways.  A few stayed for coffee.  Little did I know that Percy left that scene inspired by my vulnerability.  He went home to his wife and together, they prayed for me.  He whispered to her that he felt the Lord asking him to give.  So, Percy messaged me. 

He arrived humbly at my house around 1:00 pm.  I met him on the driveway, shaking his hand and taking an envelope he gave me.  I had no clue what was inside.  He said it was God’s money.  Not his.  We chatted politely for a good five minutes, getting to know one another, and he left.  I went back inside.

Opening the envelope, I expected to see a $50 bill.  Maybe $100 tops.  I broke the seal, revealing a stack of crisp, new $100 bills.  Ten of them!  I began to laugh out loud at God’s provision.  Tears welled in my eyes.  I called up to my son, asking him if he wanted to see what a thousand dollars looked like. 

Our God is SO good!

Percy was already back to his house.  I messaged him to thank him and texted my wife about the timely gift.  We paid off our credit card bill, and I still had enough left over for a slight cushion in our checking account.  It reminded me of Jesus feeding the 5000.  The baskets of bread and fish multiplied, feeding the entire group.  And there was still plenty left over. 

Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” 

I wrote Percy a thank you note and brought it over to his house last night.  It was only right.  I met his sweet family, shook his wife’s hand, and played a little baseball with his son in the front yard.  It made me remember simpler times with my boys when they were in their superhero phase. 

I am blown away at the awesomeness of our God.  He has shown up through men like Percy and through daily devotions.  He has filled my car with encouraging Christian music. He has comforted me through timely text messages from friends and family, each one encouraging and challenging me.  He has held every tear I cried and shielded me from the enemy’s lies. 

Our God is SO good!