Let me tell you a story of about an ordinary guy who has accomplished what might seem impossible. You’ve probably heard these kind of stories before. But you probably haven’t heard them; you probably haven’t heard that you are the person in the story. You probably haven’t realized that there is no difference between that person and you except that the person in the story has done what you’re going to do. I want you to hear this story and imagine yourself in it. I want you to try to think what it took to take W. Mitchell where he has gone.
W. Mitchell lived in San Francisco, and he learned to fly a plane so he could appreciate those beautiful hills from a special vantage point. Then one day he was riding to work on a brand new motorcycle and he was being extra careful. But, not everyone else was. A truck rana red light and crashed right into him. The motorcycle burst into flames, and Mitchell was burned over 65 percent of his body. His fingers were burned off; his nose and ears were gone. It took sixteen operations before the doctors could re-create his face. But Mitchell would not let that stop him.
He moved to Colorado and began flying a plane again. He started a wood-burning stove company with a couple of friends. Then his light plane crashed and crushed twenty-two vertebrae in his back, paralyzing him from the waist down. But W. Mitchell believes with all his heart and soul that “it’s not important what life does to you. What’s important is what you do about it.” He became the mayor of Crested Butte, Colorado. He ran for Congress with the slogan, “Not just another pretty face.” He got married and earned a master’s degree in public administration. He eventually became an acclaimed public speaker and a millionaire. He never stopped to bemoan his fate. He never cursed his problems, or nursed them, or rehearsed them for his friends. He reversed his problems. He says that before he was paralyzed, he could do ten thousand things. Now he can do nine thousand. He prefers to dwell on the nine thousand things he ca do, not the on thousand that he can’t. How did he do it? With the same gifts you’ve been given.
So let’s stop and think about W. Mitchell. I’d be willing to bet that if we just look at our exterior, you’re probably in better shape than he is. Yep, I’m pretty confident about that. So what did he have on the inside? Well, you say, it’s obvious…he survived these terrible accidents. True enough. Do you think that gives him an advantage? Do you think you need to go through a terrible accident in order to achieve your heart’s desire?
Adversity can do that sometimes…it can make you aware that you must be here for a purpose. I didn’t tell you that W. Mitchell has a deep and strong faith, but I’m not asking you put his accomplishments down to his faith. What I am asking is that you feel the same feeling…that you are here to accomplish something. You may feel that something in your exterior or even in your interior is scarred, not put together right, our of shape. So? That doesn’t mean that you can’t do everything you want to do. Whatever your failings or defects, you can overcome them. Get used to the idea. You remember what Captain Picard always said to his fellow crew members on the Enterprise: “Make it so.” If you want something, you make it so.
Motivation and persistence are the gifts God gave everyone so that they could fulfill their promise. But as in so many things, He didn’t make it a slam-dunk to master them. Everybody has motivation and persistence, and everybody can use them, but not everybody does then they should. That’s what I’m writing this for.
Motivation is the kick that starts you going where you want to go. It gives you the strength to overcome the problems; it keeps you thinking optimistically; it keeps you up in a down world. Motivation is what says, “I really am going to attain these goals. This is my year to get out of debt, get healthy, achieve my dreams.” It keeps you from being intimidated, frustrated, or worn down.
8 Comments
I sleeping in my car, my daughter and I, yet I refuse to feel sorry for myself or give up. Thanks for the pep talk Tim.
Amazing, what an incredible man, what strength, what resilience. My mind cannot even begin to ponder on the inner strength of an individual to have gone through these drastic occurances. But you’re right Dr Storey we all have it in us to accomplish the impossible. Its living beyond what the eye can see, to living in the invisible – i.e. in hope, being motivated because of the passions in our hearts – that i believe has more effect because it touches and reaches and changes so many lives.
This article is making me look at my life, my dreams and passions and at what lengths am i willing to go to achieve them.
Thank you, loved it.
God is amazing and I understand intimidation. Fifteen years ago, I began to write Christian Romance Novels. Why? It is a gift from God and I enjoy writing.
I wrote four then five novels but when I shared my joy of writing with my friends and my thoughts, I couldn’t pursue my dream; I felt that I should be somewhere laying hands on the sick and praying…you see I am a minister that the Lord has used around the country doing just that. Yet I still felt prompted of the Lord that He wanted to stretch me to reach more people differently.
Well, last year one of your sermons on “Get Ready for Your Comeback”, took hold of me. I came to understand that “when a message is sent, only those who the message if for, will be able to receive the message; no matter what that message might be.”
In April of this year my first Romance Novel came out and it is a Christian Romance with a great message. To God be all the glory!
Thanks Tim, the Comeback kicked out intimidation!
Rane Tomlinson
Hi Storey,
Wonderful article, sounds a bit like my back yard. I’m addicted to motivation. I need to go off on a rabbit trail though. You spoke about a “Red Balloon” the other day, I’m still spinning on that subject, because it really hit home for me, In the 80′s there was a song called “99 Red Balloons” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG-3LeJvfzU The surreal thing was that I was letting go of my first love Jesus Christ in my teenage years, How bizzare…I know God was very aware of my stupid decision back then, although 99 sheeps vs 1 (solid) sheep. Wow your my Hero, you always remained faithful. I wan’t to bless all your fans, This Memorial Day weekend here in the United States, “A nation under God”!!!! “ANTHEM”Planetshaker’s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv3E6G-Ua4k
I love you in my King,
TRuth
Thank for sharing this. I am always looking for ways to stay motivated. I’m married, mother of 4, and work out of my home. I always have that little voice in the back of my head telling me I’m not good enough, no one wants to hear what I have to say, I will never make a difference. Enough is enough. God gave me a passion for people, He brought a company into my life that has surrounded me with fellow believers & that I get to do what I have loved to do my whole life. I get to help people feel better about themselves, live healthier, and have brighter futures. With this job we can get out of debt & my kids can have a future. This IS my year!!
Me ka aloha pumehana,
Erin
Really enjoyed the article and how its sincere and people go through alot worse than us…we should be grateful for everything.
GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD
I was caught in a storm once, after I have decided not to take shelter. Maybe if I knew what I’ve gotten myself in then, I would have took the shelter. Today I am glad I didn’t, because it showed me that I am able to do more than I thought. Trees that were almost two hundred years were pulled out of the ground, but somehow something inside me drives me to keep on walking. I got out of the storm with some “hail damage”, but very relieved and enriched.
Thank you Doctor Storey that God is using you to inspire us to greatness.
Cisca Lukas (South Africa)
Brother Tim, You are indeed an expression of God’s divine artwork. your walk, work, wisdom and worship still is so amazing. it truelly shows how manifold is God’s wisdom! From Tanzania always feeling you not like Us Citizen but Tanzanian.