This time of year is always “reflective” for me. We are about to head out on one of the best tours we’ve ever had after wrapping up a season of some of the best shows we’ve ever had. We finished strong last season with a record number of sold out performances. It was an amazing adventure!
Cindy and I are looking forward, with anticipation, to the tour that’s ahead of us. We have the best team we’ve ever had on the road. Keith has done an outstanding job of handling and advancing the technical requirements of our show. He’s been working hard to “simplify” the way we do things without compromising the integrity or aesthetics of the production. Ethan has really proven himself onstage – and off. He’s been able to step right in to Nolan’s place – and do it with style and a strong stage presence. Every day, he stretches and takes on a little more responsibility.
None of us take our responsibilities lightly. Providing our audience with a quality performance is a very serious matter. In these financially difficult times, people don’t easily have the expendable cash to buy tickets for their entire family to come to one of our shows. We want to make sure we give them our very best. That’s a commitment our entire team makes a priority.
Years ago, while I was in college and before I became a full time performer, I had the opportunity to work for Warner Brothers pictures. I was part of a small team of individuals whose purpose was to promote one of their projects. They had just purchased the distribution rights to a movie that they felt had little hope of generating much of a profit. They decided the only way it could succeed is if “church people” would see the movie because it was about a man who had great faith.
The man’s name was Eric Little and he was a Scottish runner. He wanted to race in the 1924 Olympic games and he trained hard and often. He took a lot of criticism, especially from well-meaning Christians who couldn’t understand his purpose and motivation. They thought he was just wasting his time. After all, running had no purpose and did nothing for God.
When asked, “Why do you work so hard to run so fast?” Eric Little responded, “Because God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.â€
There is a tremendous sense of satisfaction that comes when we do the thing we were intended to do. Sometimes (especially as we get older) we become too sophisticated to have the kind of faith it takes to step out into the darkness, into uncertainty – to walk on water and attempt the impossible. My life – well, it’s all about the “impossible.”
I end every show with a few simple words that someone once shared with me because I want to challenge our audience to be the very best they can be, regardless of WHAT that is.
“Never let anyone talk you out of your dreams because, even if you shoot for the moon and you miss, you’ll still be among the stars.”
I’m not certain as to whom spoke these words originally but they are the essence of our career – shooting for the moon.
As a Christ-follower, I understand that God has given each of us abilities. It is my responsibility – my duty – to use these abilities to be the very best I can at whatever I’ve chosen to pursue. The Apostle Paul wrote “Whatever you do, do it with heart, as to Christ and not to men.â€Â (Colossians 3:22) The Message translation reads this way, “Do your best. Work from your heart for your real Master, for God. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ…and being Christian doesn’t cover up bad work.â€
I like that – being a Christian doesn’t give you an excuse to do bad work. There is no better place to be than to be using my talents and gifts to the best of my ability. Some people use their talents in an organized religion or ministry. Most of us use them in our everyday, ordinary lives. My job is about more than just entertaining people. It’s about bringing worship to the God who has given me the ability to entertain people.
As for that movie? Well, it was called CHARIOTS OF FIRE. It went on to receive numerous awards nominations including seven Academy Award nominations – winning four Oscars, and an arm-load of international awards.