One of my favorite movies of all time is the movie Rocky, by Sylvester Stallone. I realize it is very bloody and violent but I always appreciated the storyline. Ironically the one sport I have never been a huge fan of is the sport of boxing. The thought of 2 grown men beating the tar out of each other in a boxing ring is not my cup of tea. When I was very young I did want to know the results of an Ali/ Frazier boxing match but as I got older boxing was not my thing. I don't even like when the fight during a hockey game!
The Original Rocky movie was a low budget project and was an idea that Sylvester Stallone had watching a previous boxing match where an unknown boxer Chuck Wepner fought Muhammad Ali and gave him a run for his money. It became a huge box office smash and won an Oscar for Best Picture in 1976. Without going through the entire movie, I just want to focus on a few things. There is a scene where Rocky and Adrian are in Rocky tells Adrian "I can't win." He then tells Adrian he just wants to "Go the distance" which means he wanted to last all 12 rounds of the fight without being knocked out. We see Rocky train real hard, going for long runs, punching raw meat in a meat factory and training real hard. Apollo Creed, the heavyweight champion does not train and is looking at this fight as a "great show." He only chooses Rocky Balboa as his opponent because he likes his nickname "The Italian Stallion." During the fight Rocky does the impossible and knocks out the Champ, something that has never happened. If this fight were to take place today, it would have been stopped in the first or second round. But, of course this is Hollywood! As the fight goes on Rocky takes a beating and refuses to be knocked out. My favorite part in the movie is when Apolo knocks out Rocky, Rocky gets up and motions to Apollo "come on." Apollo looks at Rocky in disbelief and the announcer says "Apollo can't believe it!" Both fighters are badly beaten, bloody, both have swollen faces and the fight ends. Apollo wins the fight but Rocky's goal was set. He went the distance!
This movie is only a movie but it has always inspired me to "Go the distance" with various areas of my life. I am not the kind of guy who likes to put all my "dirty laundry" on my blog. I do wear my heart on my sleeve. I was told when I was a pastor that you should never be too transparent. I disagree. I believe people need to see that pastors are not perfect and are people too. Of course you don't want to share every intimate secret of your life! There are too many pastors who want you to believe they have it all together. They don't. I want to share with you areas in my life where I want to continue to "Go the distance" and never "throw in the towel." As I share them, it is not my way of complaining or whining, but they are areas I want to grow in and see changes in as I "Go the distance."
1. WITH LIFE DECISIONS
Ever since I resigned from SGT, I have been trying to figure out what career path to take. I have tried everything from limo driving, sales, restaurant management, Home Depot and Chick Fil-A. If you know me, my heart is ministry. It has been since I was 17 years old. I am presently working 2 jobs. I am full time at Home Depot and part time at Chick Fil-A. Both jobs are very physical. I do try to stay in shape but I realize I do need a new career path in order to survive living on Long Island. I will "Go the distance" and see what plans God has for me.
2. WITH FORGIVENESS
Since 2013, there are a number of people I need to forgive. People who have hurt me. All of them hurt me by different ways and they all have a story. Some of them may not even realize they did me wrong but I realize I need to forgive them. I have just started a personal study on what the bible says about forgiveness. There are days I feel like I have forgiven. There are other days I want to get even. I'm not going to lie. So with all that said, I hope to one day have 100% forgiveness in my heart. I am willing to "Go the distance" in my forgiveness. It will not be easy but it does need to happen.
3. WITH MY TWO OLDEST CHILDREN
I am the father of four kids. I do get to spend time with my two youngest kids who are 19 and 14. My two oldest kids will not speak to me. To say it's heartbreaking and painful is an understatement. It has been a wound in my heart that is beyond painful that I wake up to every morning. I even hate writing this because all I want is reconciliation and to see a healing in our relationship. I want to one day sit down with them and find out what I did that is so terrible. I have sent letters to them that have been ignored with no response. They are 27 and 25. Both work jobs and live with their Mom. I am not giving up and I will "Go the distance" when it comes to reconciliation. I have asked God many times "Why is this taking so long?" but I also know as the enemy has tried to pound on me and tried to knock me out, I am still taking the punches but I refuse to go down! one day I look forward to my blog that will say "Reconciliation." I know God is in control!
4. IN MY WALK WITH GOD
I have been a Christian since 1977. I was a shy 8th grader when I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. For the past 42 and a half years I have tried my best to live the Christian life. In my high school years, as a bible college student, as I have worked various jobs, in my 22 years as a pastor and through good times as well as bad. The bible says in 1 Timothy 6:12 to "Fight the good fight of the faith." I have tried in all my years to live the Christian life the best that I can. I have made mistakes simply because I am human and I am not perfect. Only Jesus is perfect. So as I "run the race" I continue to "fix my eyes on Jesus" and "Go the distance" when it comes to my walk with God. As the enemy tries his best to knock me down, I will stay on my feet and "Go the distance" knowing one day when I die, Jesus will say to me "Well done good and faithful servant."
I hope after you read this, it will encourage you to "Go the distance." To conclude, I want to quote Rocky Balboa who famously said "I ain't no bum." Don't be a bum!! Go the distance!!
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