Eddie

I am more impressed with Eddie Izzard than Usain Bolt. Don’t get me wrong, Bolt is the fastest man on Earth over a short distance, and if I broke into his house and he was in, I would be in a very tricky position if it came to a foot race. I’d probably have to knock him out before my getaway. Anyway, Eddie Izzard ran 43 marathons in 53 days. They say you should take 26 days to rest after one marathon. He had never ran before the first one. It’s not really possible to do what Eddie did it.

People are wowed by those who sprint, but humbled by those who endure. The crazy thing is, Jesus talks about this. I have seen a lot of people take a fleeting interest in the message of Jesus before moving on to something more shiny. The more I read the scriptures the more I see the long distance runners changing the world whilst shooting stars fall after a few seconds under the spotlight.

Ok enough with the metaphors. These last few weeks endurance has littered our TVs and radios with sports relief challenges and marathon men. Coupled with this new phase of endurance, I have recently taken some major steps with the most testing battle a man can face. Golf.

It has nothing to do with skill, strength or power. It truly is all in the mind. And after you swing and miss the first 7 million balls, the temptation comes over you like a wall of burdens. No man should have to stand so vulnerable on a driving range in front of 20 professionals wearing one glove. Everyone I speak to about my recent progress in Golf say the same thing. “Yeah man that’s really good. It’s a great game but well hard. I played once but I was awful. Didn’t bother again.” Some of my mates spent hundreds of pounds on clubs but gave up because they weren’t very good at it. (These clubs will become my property in the near future).

Like some crazed freak I use these faces of those who quit Golf to pump my concentration after I spoon a ball 20 yards over the fence. I will not quit. Not because I’m super strong, or as focused as a leopard, but because the theology of Eddie Izzard is 100% proof. How does perseverance work? It works like this: Wake up, have a wash, eat some breakfast, do the thing worth persevering for, eat some food, have a sleep. We cannot persevere tomorrow. Only today. And if everyday you wake up, have a wash, eat some food and persevere, the years will pass and looking back on your life you will see that you have finished the race.

Consider these epic teachings by Jesus who persevered more than any living thing. In Mark’s account he said this: “Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”

For those of you who have not yet encountered “The word” then for the next hour or so have a read of the book of Mark. Endurance pays off. For those of you who have encountered “The word” then for the next hour or so have a read of the book of Mark. Endurance pays off.

Today we endure, because tomorrow isn’t real.

Peace.

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