I’m flying again.
On Wednesday, I’m starting a fast, blistering, non-stop 10-day trip to US and Canada. In those 10 days, I’ll be preaching in 10 cities. No joke. From Los Angeles to San Francisco to Vancouver to New Jersey to Maryland… (invite your friends to join me. Click here for my complete itinerary.)
Some people tell me that my schedule isn’t fit for a human being.
But there’s nothing to it, really.
I’ve done this before, so I know the drill: Fly, preach, fly, preach, fly, preach… And inhale oxygen somewhere in between.
If I can also catch a small meal in between, praise God. If not, a banana will do. Now you know why I’m thin.
But I’m strong. I’ve been a semi-vegetarian for the past 14 years. I also exercise daily. And I live a happy life.
Everywhere I go, people ask me, “How can you do all that you do?” They say my calendar is torture.
No, it’s not. I love what I do.
So to me, my calendar is not torture but a thrilling adventure.
Warning: People Who Complain
Will Get More Of What They’re Complaining About
One day, I was standing in a long line in the airport.
In front of the X-Ray machines, metal detectors, and tired security personnel.
Behind me was a balding middle-aged man who had so much anger in his face, a rock would melt under his gaze. He cursed, “F_ck, I can’t stand waiting. This is driving me nuts. Don’t you just hate long lines?”
I smiled.
My silence was enough to tell him, “You have a choice to be happy or miserable.”
Because at that moment, I felt happy.
Because I chose to be happy.
I was at peace with God and myself and the entire universe.
I ride planes a hundred times a year and I’ve long decided never to complain about the long lines.
Complaining is useless.
Instead, I appreciate the special gifts that long lines give me.
Long lines force me to chat with a friend, to read a book, to plan for the next 50 years of my life, to pray, to be totally useless, and to do absolutely nothing. Oh what peace!
Don’t complain.
I know of some people who complain before the trip begins.
By doing so, they “create” the misery that they’ll experience. Because their complaints become self-fulfilling prophecies.
That’s just how life works.
Instead of Complaining,
Imagine How You Want Your Journey To Play Out
Before each trip, I already make a deliberate decision and declare, “I will enjoy this amazing trip.”
The Bible says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” I believe that. So before leaving for a trip, I confess, “My journey will be very blessed!”
I also do something that I learned from Olympic champions: In my mind, I visualize what I want to happen.
Part of an Olympic athlete’s training is visualization. Each morning, before he even runs, a sprinter will imagine his 100-meter dash. He imagines everything. The sound of the gun. The leap from the starting block. The wind on his face. The cheer of the crowd. The finish line’s ribbon on his chest. The gold medal around his neck.
And if it’s good enough for Olympians, I guess it’s good enough for me too.
So before each trip, here’s what I imagine…
oIn each talk I’ll give, I imagine how my audience will receive God’s love. People will be spiritually nourished. People will experience God as never before. They’ll feel so blessed; they’ll tell their friends about the experience. (Hint for Speakers: This is what I imagine before I give any talk. I don’t go to the stage without doing this.)
oIn every human contact I’ll have, I imagine how I’ll learn from the fascinating people I’ll meet. I’ll be blessed by my friends, my hosts, and the organizers of each event. And I will bless them with my love and friendship too. (I enjoy meeting with KerygmaFamily members all around the world. If you’re not yet a member, sign up at www.kerygmafamliy.com and get my spiritual nourishment for FREE.)
oIn lull times, whether standing in line or sitting on the plane, I’ll read and write and rest and pray. I imagine myself thoroughly enjoying my lull times of quiet and peace.
oI’ll come home rested, energized, and blessed!
My imagination is my prayer.
I’m claiming that all these will happen in Jesus name.
