Encouragement

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With Courage And Discipline

For man's greatest actions are performed in minor struggles. Life, misfortune, isolation, abandonment and poverty are battlefields which have their heroes - obscure heroes who are at times greater than illustrious heroes.

--Victor Hugo


After talking with both of her parents, 14 year old Anita McCann began taking Kung Fu lessons at Saint Gregory’s University three times a week. Within 8 months of having taken lessons with Master George Ing, Anita could not understand why the Master had taught her only one move.

“Master Ing,” Anita said, “Why is it that you’ve only taught me one move, sir?”

“This is the only move you have learned, but this is the only move you will every truly need to know,” the Master replied.

Not really understanding, but accepting Master Ing’s word, Anita continued her training.

Within a year of her inquiry, Master Ing took Anita to her first Kung Fu tournament in nearby Lawton. Anita was very surprised how quickly and easily she won her first competition. Her second competition proved to be considerably more difficult for her. Anita’s opponent lacked enough patience to maintain her moves against her. Anita used her one move to win her second match. Still surprised by her success, Anita now found herself competing for the championship.

Anita’s third and final opponent was quicker, stronger and had nearly seven years of experience. Several minutes into the competition, Anita seemed in a league where she did not belong. Concerned about Anita’s personal welfare, the judge of the competition stopped the teens’ match for a few minutes. Then Master Ing intervened.

“No judge! Let her continue! She’ll be okay!”

Within minutes after the competition resumed, Anita’s opponent made a serious mistake. Anita used her single move to immobilized and defeat her competition. She had won the competition and was declared the champion of the entire tournament.

On their way back to Shawnee, Master Ing reviewed Anita’s performance over the three day competition. Then Anita gathered enough courage to ask Master Ing a question she had wanted to know for more than a year.

“How is it Master Ing that I was able to win my three competitions against some very good boys and girls?”

“Anita you won for one reason and one reason only—your personal willingness to practice your one move daily for more than a year.”

In just the same manner, a person who places their faith in God daily above the world’s greatest competitors—the devil, the world, and the flesh—will ultimately win their matches. Regardless of how strong a person of faith believe he or she is, faith without practice will weaken and they will be defeated by the competition (the devil, the world, the flesh). The Ultimate Master wants each person to talk to Him about their Christian life then accept His plan in order to prepare them for the competition. Not just for a day but for a life time!

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