Monday Memo

by Steve May

Norman Vincent Peale used to say, “It’s always too soon to quit.”

This reminds me of a quote attributed to Ross Perot: “Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success. They quit on the on the one-yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game, one foot away from a winning touchdown.”

On this subject, Paul encouraged us,“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

The “proper time” sometimes takes a little longer to arrive than we like. And sometimes it feels like the proper time will never arrive. This is when we need we need to engage our faith. It’s when we need to determine to dig in and stick around a little longer. It’s never a good time to quit.

B.C. Forbes said, “History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before the triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.”

The Christian life — and more specifically, the ministry — consists of overcoming one defeat after another. That’s because we’re in a spiritual battle and everyday we confront the enemy. We may lose a little ground from time to time, but we will not lose the war. We have been promised victory — a harvest of righteousness — if we do not give up. It’s always too soon to quit.

[NOTE: The quotes from Ross Perot and B.C. Forbes were found in Jack Canfield's book, The Success Principles.]

Satchel Paige threw his first major league pitch at the age of 42. Actually, he was good enough to play in the majors at the age of 18, but he couldn’t: Satchel Paige was black. Seven years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, Paige, an undisputed superstar everywhere but in the major leagues, finally got his chance.

Cleveland owner Bill Veek was criticized for adding such an old man to his roster; some sportswriters and critics called it a publicity stunt. Others said Paige was finally getting the break he had deserved for years, though most doubted his ability to compete effectively at his age.

Paige silenced the critics when he won his first three games as a pro, shutting out Chicago twice in the process.

All along he knew he was good enough to pitch in the major leagues, and when he finally got his chance, he proved it. He went on to win 28 games during his pro career, and even made a brief comeback at the age of 59, pitching three innings for the Kansas City A’s.

He approached his major league pitching debut no differently than he approached any of the 2,500 games he pitched during his career. “It was just another game,” he said. “And home plate was where it always was.”

Though Paige had the ability to make throwing a baseball look effortless, he spent his life perfecting the art. And, eventually, he got his chance to show the world he was capable of competing with the best.

King Solomon said, “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” (Proverbs 22:29)

Solomon is emphasizing that commitment to quality is more important than self-promotion. Do your job well, he says, and you’ll get your chance to serve before the best.

In the work that you do, you may have to wait years before you get your chance to play in the big leagues. And the fact is, the chance may never come in the way you would like. But you can be sure your time will come. Believers can work with the assurance that our jobs — even the most menial tasks — are performed before our King. Our efforts do not go unnoticed. All the more reason to pursue excellence in all we do.

Your time will come; never give up on the dream of being the best.

[NOTE: This is from Steve's archives; it was originally published in 2002.]

A couple of months ago Al Rogulski was on a boating and snorkeling trip sponsored by a distributor of his heating and air-conditioning business. Owners and employees from several heating and air firms were there; it’s the kind of trip that companies award to their best customers.

One afternoon everyone went snorkeling, but Rogulski chose to stay on the boat; the water was a little too rough for him. Within just a few minutes, several snorkelers began having trouble, including one man in particular: Rogulski could see him floating unconscious in the water, bumping against the boat.

Rogulski helped pull the man to safety, and when no one else could administer CPR, he took over. After about 15 minutes the man finally spit out a half-gallon of water and began to breathe again. Rogulski had saved his life.

It’s already a pretty good story, but here’s the twist.

The name of the unconscious man is Don Bertrand. He’s the founder of another heating and cooling company located in Rogulski’s home town. In other words they’re competitors. Enemies, you might say, in a business sense.

Normally they fight with each other for customers, but on this day Rogulski was fighting for Bertrand. And he saved his life. The fact that they’re competitors was never an issue; Rogulski later said, “I just felt like I had to do what I had to do.”

AND A LITTLE LESS…

When Jesus said, “Love your enemies,” he was talking about this kind of thing — and a little less.

Here’s what I mean: I doubt any of us would bypass a chance to save the life of someone, even someone we might consider an enemy. However, what if it wasn’t about saving their life, but, instead, just giving them a helping hand in a small matter? Could we show them this kind of love as well?

Could you give a ride to someone you know doesn’t like you?

Could you visit the hospital room of someone who has criticized you?

Could you offer a word of encouragement to someone who would rather discourage you?

This is “the little less” that loving your enemies sometimes calls for. This kind of love doesn’t make you a hero, but it does make you more like your Father.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45 NKJV)