His Hand is Open

 

It’s got to feel as empty as Lake Lanier in North Georgia during the recent drought.  In an unprecedented Olympic sequence, both the US men’s and women’s 4 x 100 relay dropped the baton on the last leg of their qualifying heats.  In less than a few seconds, years of anticipation and hope were over.  Done.

 

 

I can’t imagine the disappointment and pain that both teams must be feeling even now; laying awake and staring at the ceiling wondering how their pass failed.  Tyson Gay, the premier US sprinter who would like to forget Beijing exists, seemed almost dazed as he spoke with the commentator after the race. 

 

Some journalists state it’s a lack of cohesiveness that produced such lackluster performances, others say poor training.  Both seem viable factors to diagnosing our athlete’s maladies.

 

Passing the baton remains one of the best images to illustrate our responsibility as fathers.  Today, more than ever before, we must engage in what author and speaker Robert Lewis describes as “strategic parenting”.   Lewis identifies three options for fathers to raise sons:  abandoned, involved, and strategic.  Some dads abdicate their responsibility altogether, a trend my wife sees everyday as a teacher in the public school system.  Other fathers stay admirably involved by attending athletic events, paying for lessons, helping homework, etc.   A small percentage, however, dedicate themselves to launch their “arrows” (Psalm 127:4) with tactical, premeditated planning – not unlike the  dedicated Jewish fathers of old who prepared their sons to participate as adults at an early age.   Strategic dads instill industriousness, establish accountability, and build character so that their boys can become men.

 

Dennis Rainey, author and president of FamilyLife, describes three junctions in a young man’s life where the father cannot fault in passing the baton, these are:  adolescence, college, and in marriage.  I wrote Teknon and the CHAMPION Warriors (www.championtraining.com) to equip fathers to transition their sons through the first junction and into young adulthood.  Whether it’s Teknon, another tool, or a father’s own creative approach – strategic “passing” through the landmarks Rainey identifies must occur.

 

Don’t look back, like the USA athletes, wondering how and why the baton dropped with your son.  Get strategic and make an effective pass.  He’s already out of the blocks and his hand is open.

We vs. Me

 

The Beijing Olympics seem to be unfolding as two stories; the first an exciting compilation of humble heroics, the other an erratic display of brilliant individual-egoistic ability.  I’m speaking of the two most highlighted categories:  swimming and track.

 

I lost sleep for a week watching Michael and Company change Olympic history time and again.  And although I’m a “Phelps Phan”, in awe of the training, discipline, and DNA driven ability of the man of the hour – I was captured by the harmonious effort of the men’s’ relays, where teamwork and mutual encouragement contributed to the defeat of staunch competition. 

 

 

 

 

I have, on the other hand, battled nausea watching the outrageously gifted Usain “Lightning” Bolt.  Never in the history of track has an individual so dominated the record books in Olympic Games.  Never has a runner revealed such innate speed and agility. When the gun fired for the 100 meter final Bolt ran like mercury in man form, almost gliding down the lane.  He was well ahead of the other runners and seemed destined to break the world record.  And then it happened.  With almost 30 meters remaining in the 100 event, he relaxed, looked around, and beat his chest in self acclimation as he crossed the line.  Did he break the world record?  Yes.  So why are commentators, journalists, and water cooler conversationalists now shaking their heads over the fastest man in history?

 

 

We love harmony because it’s us against them, or for something important.  We also expect ourselves and our heroes to give their best when their best is needed.  It’s not just Bolt’s self-acclaim that makes us twinge; it’s the fact that he could have gone faster without the antics, much faster.  We wanted to see him give every ounce effort and press every tendon to the end.  Instead his finish was more of a shallow boast than a thing of beauty.

 

 

Rick Warren hit the nail when he started his book, The Purpose Driven Life with the brilliant line, “It’s not about you.”  That statement rings true, in sports and in life. 

 

Are you listening, Lightning?  It’s not about me, it’s about we. 

Harmonious Supercharge

 

If you were up late last night you probably saw one of the greatest races in sport history.  The United States 4 x 100 men’s freestyle team came from behind, against every prediction, to steal the gold medal from the trash talking, overconfident “Four Frenchman of the Apocalypse.”  If you haven’t seen it, and even if you have, click on the link below and enjoy the moment:

 

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0811_HD_SWB_HL_L0194

 

Of course we’re impressed with the amazing athleticism of Michael “Superman” Phelps and wish him well on his quest towards the record for gold medals.  But it’s 32 year old Jason Lezak, anchor of this historical event, who has for the moment stolen the heart of his counrtry.  Here’s a quote from Lezak after the race:

 

It’s happened to me all my career that people would get on my lane line and suck off me,” Lezak said, “so I figured this was one opportunity in all my career to do that. … I’m not going to lie. When I flipped at the 50, it really crossed my mind for a split second that there was no way. Then I changed. And I said, You know what, that’s ridiculous at the Olympics. I’m here for the United States of America. I don’t care how bad it hurts or whatever. … Honestly in five seconds I was thinking all these things. I got like a supercharge and took it from there.

 

The Olympics are at their best when moments like this race occur that offer a glimpse into what drives our heart desires when it comes to harmonious participation.  In this case the French spent the past few days declaring their intention to “smash” the Americans in this event.  Our boys were underdogs by every account including those made by USA commentator Rowdy Gaines when he said, “I’ve analyzed this race every way possible and every time it comes up France.”  Phelps held his own on the first leg, followed by all out efforts from the next two swimmers. But even with valiant effort on the first three legs, Lezak had to overcome a full body length on the world’s fastest swimmer, a giant of a man who had beaten Lezak on several occasions.  In the last 50 meters of the anchor match, Lezak pushed with monumental effort to help his team beat the “enemy” and smash the world record by three seconds.  The jubilation after the final touch was enough to pump a quart of adrenalin through any American’s veins. 

 

The point is – how does life get any better than offering our best in harmony with others to accomplish a noble and worthy task?  As I said, athletic events like this (and that of Eric Liddel in Chariots of Fire) give us a glimpse of what we long for – to be at our best when our best is needed.  I encourage you to use this amazing example of heart and harmony as a discussion opportunity with your son.

Do We Need Dark Knights?

 

I saw something interesting on my trip to Germany a few weeks ago:

 

 

 

Yes, Black Swans do exist – fowl, friend, and fiend.  I’ve already described the definition of a Black Swan, but as a reminder it’s:

 

• A highly improbable event or occurrence outside of the realm of our expectations,

• that carries extreme impact,

• and which is unexplainable in retrospect, or predictable in the future.

 

So what does the “The Dark Knight” have to do with the “The Black Bird”?  I read an interesting article recently in a local newspaper entitled The Superhero Trap.  Here’s a quote:

 

The Dark Knight, praised by critics for its somber themes and grand ambitions, has proven to be a mighty box office force in a summer already dominated by superheroes of various kinds.  But any comic book fan knows that a hero at the height of his powers is a few panels removed from mortal danger, and that hubris has a way of summoning new enemies out of the shadows.  Are the Caped Crusader and his colleagues basking in an endless summer of triumph, or is the sun already starting to set?…. Those poor, misunderstood crusaders must turn big profits on a global scale and satisfy an audience hungry for the thrill of novelty and the comforts of the familiar.  Is it just me, or is the strain starting to show?

 

Although the writer makes a logical observation based on possible future box office returns, I think he (or she – A.O. Scott) misses the point why superheroes are so popular and why they will survive in some form or fashion in the coming years. The Dark Knight, The Man of Steel, The Crimson Avenger (Iron Man – can you believe a middle aged guy knows that) and other icons represent modern mythology; epic participants who courageously step in to remedy crime or disaster when needed. We will always adore these modern day Hercules because we crave heroes and, perhaps more important, we love to experience perilous rescue. 

 

Our enemy The Great Illusionist (next entry) plots “bad bird” Black Swans like a chess master who sees victory twelve moves ahead.  He is both epically evil and strategically brilliant. We pray when his Swans swoop we will be ready to respond with courage, strength, and character. 

 

One of my most highly respected friends leads an international organization where God shows up everyday with “good bird” Black Swans.  I am amazed at how God tangibly and miraculously steps into his circumstances, both in the macro and the micro.  Recently I asked my friend to describe how an individual can move towards experiencing that kind of intimacy and response with God.  He gave me three suggestions – a “Heavenly Hat Trick”:

 

• Read the Bible every day – not just books about the Bible, but the Word itself.

• Expect God to show up, don’t just pray that He does.  Keep the radar for His invitation continually on “Defcon 1”.

• Be willing to look foolish, no matter what He invites me to do.

 

I believe these are the keys to courageous participation in both small opportunities to help others, as well as preparation to respond to the “Big Bad Bird” when it descends.  Try the Hat Trick on for size, and ask your son if he would like to join you in perilous rescue during the epic battles ahead.

 

Do we need “Dark Knights”?   No question in my mind – now and forever.