Page 51 - Faith-Based Workbook 8-27-18

TOPUCU Adult Faith-Based Workbook Lesson 7: Part 1

the sky, Lot’s wife looked back and instantly of Team Hoyt. Dick Hoyt burned the bridge "Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him, and he will act." — Psalm 37:5 (ESV)
she became a pillar of salt. She was unable to to what his life may have become and
burn the bridge. She was unable to let go of made a total commitment to his son Rick. was made. Do you remember the principle, To conclude today’s lesson, let’s touch on
her past life. And because of it she died. Let’s fast-forward to today. Rick and Dick “what you accept you teach?" Most people this interesting fable about a chicken and a
have competed in over 1,000 endurance today accept that commitment isn’t really pig. One day the two of them were walking
commitment. If they say they’re committed down a path at the farm and the chicken
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: to doing something, but then something says to the pig, “The farmer has been pretty
forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, else comes along that they’d rather do, the nice to us. Let’s make him some ham and
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God commitment is broken. Sure, we understand eggs tomorrow morning.” The pig says to the
in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV) there are emergencies that can bring about chicken, “That’s just a simple donation from
a break in commitment, but that’s not what you but it’s a total life-changing commitment
events; including 72 marathons and six we’re talking about. We’re talking about from me.” Sure, this is an extreme way of
Admittedly, that’s a harsh example, but it Ironman triathlons. And, in 2008, they were an accepted idea that has been passed looking at it, but the point is clear: when you
drives the point home. If you keep looking inducted into the Ironman’s Hall of Fame. down from generation to generation that make a commitment to change, the idea of
back at your old life, you’ll continue to be The story of Team Hoyt is the epitome of an individual’s commitment is dependent going backward cannot be an option.
stuck in your old ways. If you don’t focus commitment and a prime example of burning on how that person feels at the time. The
on what’s in front of you, it will be difficult – down the bridges that can impede the acceptance of not finishing has become the Why don’t you be the one who changes
maybe even impossible – to reach your process of moving forward toward positive norm and not the exception. We continue the definition of commitment? Be the one
goal of positive transformation. You must transformation. Are you holding on to things to keep the bridges to our past open just in in your family who looks forward and not
burn the bridge. backward. Be the one among your friends
that are keeping you from achieving the case the road we have chosen becomes too
Maybe you’ve heard of Team Hoyt. Rick goal you set for yourself in Lesson One of difficult or challenging or uncomfortable. We who chooses to be the finisher. Become the
one whom others can rely upon. Be the one
Hoyt was born in 1962 and shortly thereafter this Starter Program? You need to continue must change this way of thinking. We have who burns the bridges to the past and forges
was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and making steps in your progress just like Team to build the word “commitment” back to its new paths toward a better future.
confined to a wheelchair. Furthermore, Hoyt did. As the old saying goes, “it’s one true meaning. If you say you’re going to do
doctors suggested he be institutionalized for step at a time.” something, do it!
the rest of his life. But his parents thought If you look up the word “commitment” you’ll
otherwise and decided to work with him to find it defined as, “an obligation that restricts
discover his full potential – whatever that your freedom or your actions; a promise to
might be. When he was 11, his parents had do something.” This is why so many people NOTES:
him fitted with a computer that enabled are conflicted when it comes to this area
him to communicate and it became clear of the program. Total commitment usually
that Rick was quite intelligent. He began causes discomfort. And as we’ve talked
attending public school and went on to about many times in previous lessons, people
graduate from Boston University in 1993 with don’t like to be uncomfortable. Most will do
a degree in special education. Undoubtedly, anything they can to avoid discomfort. But
an amazing accomplishment, but let’s focus as you learned in Lesson Three, “pain is a
on what happened in 1977 when Rick asked must.” If you’re not feeling pain or discomfort
his father if they could run a race to benefit you’re not growing. And as you know, this
a schoolmate who had become paralyzed. program is all about change and growth.
His father, Dick, was 36 years old and
wasn’t a distance runner at the time, but he Commitment is a dying art. We know that
decided to take his son out and push him there are exceptions to this, but if you look
around the 5-mile course. Rick told his dad back throughout history you’ll read stories
that when he’s running it feels like he isn’t about when a handshake was all that was
handicapped. And that was the beginning needed when an agreement or commitment

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