Jeff Adams

The last day I was in Cordoba, Argentina I couldn’t connect to the Internet. Not until I got back to Buenos Aires did I see the e-mail informing me that Chung had been promoted to Heaven. Every human being is unique and incalculably valuable. Once in a great while, though, an individual comes along who is so rare that you know he or she will never be replaced. Such a man was Chung Anderson. His parents named him Charles Adrian Anderson. We knew him simply as Chung. He turned 74 last January.

This morning a great celebration of Chung’s life was held at church. What a great time, and what a great family Chung leaves behind. Several of them shared their memories along with others whose lives Chung influenced. There is no way to know how many thousands of lives this remarkable man touched. He loved God with a passion, loved his church, loved his family and he simply loved people. He also loved to shop! He had a wonderful way of sharing his faith, and he shared it with anyone and everyone he met. Some people can be either obnoxious, goofy, silly, or sickeningly sweet in bearing witness of their faith. Chung was none of those things. He loved people in such an open, obvious and genuine way that he seemed to be able to tell you anything without offending in the least.

In addition to being a remarkable evangelist, Chung was a veteran, a patriot, a great husband and father, and headed our People Ministry for many years. Above all he was an incredible athlete. He was an amazing high diver and swimmer, a golden gloves boxer, an accomplished left-handed pitcher, and track and field star, especially a sprinter. He had boxes of medals, many from the Senior Olympics where he competed and won medals at the highest level.

Pastor Jay Grimwood did a masterful job of officiating at the service this morning. I had a chance to share my own impressions of Chung. Years ago Chung knew I was getting ready to preach from Hebrews 12, a passage that says a bit about running the race. Let me refresh your memory.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3

Chung approached me in the hallway of church and said in his typical humble way something like, “You can throw this away if you want. I mean, you probably already know this, but I really like this passage because it talks about running a race. I thought I might write down some of my thoughts.”

With that he put in my hand four handwritten pages ripped from a steno pad. Not only did I read it, I have used his thoughts many times over the years. My office walls are completely lined with books, but when I want to understand Hebrews 12:1-3, I turn to one of my prized possessions — Chung’s handwritten commentary. I thought it might be fitting to share it with all of you.

Aside from the crowd watching and running light, there are four elements that you will find in any textbook race (sprint) that is short enough to require starting blocks – 100m, 200m, and 400 meters. These four factors are a must and will be found in any journal in any library.

* The Start

* The transition from start to pace

* The pace (run relaxed)

* The finish (look 10 yards beyond)

1. No one is effective with a standing start. You need your head down and in the blocks. It’s important not to raise your head or stretch your neck at this point. Stay focused on the track (your lane) immediately in front of you. Do not jump the gun (false start). Wait for the one in charge to send  you out. This is like our service to God. We need to start on our knees, focus on our immediate path and don’t leave until we’re sent.

2. Our transition from start to our pace. It is important  not to rise too soon – come up gradually, while staying focused and in rhythm. No need to stumble here. Keeping our head straight with our body, as we rise we will begin to see what is ahead of us. No reason to look around. This can only get us off stride and get us into trouble (the sin which besets us).

3. Pace – this is the most important aspect of the sprints. This is where even world class sprinters have a problem. No need to grunt, clinch your fists, strain your neck or tighten your jaw. Once you reach your peak you do not, cannot gain speed. This only causes you to get off balance and lose speed. The key here is to run relaxed, even to the point your hands and jaw should be flopping. Carl Lewis (the greatest) does not have a burst of speed like everyone believes or thinks. What he does is run with patience when others tighten up and the begin running slower. The greatest single factor in these races is patience.

The ironic thing is every Bible scholar comes to Paul’s aid here and substitutes a word for patience in their Bibles. A quote from a commentary from a well-known seminary in the U.S., “Patience is not an attribute commonly associated with running, so a better word here is endurance.” Some Bibles use persistence.

If these scholars would have checked out a library book on running they would have discovered Paul knew about running, or at least he had a personal relationship with the one who invented it.

4. Last of all – look beyond the finish line – do not slow down at the finish. In the sprints we need to look at least 10 yards deeper.  The only challenge left for those that have run a good race is the motivation and love to look beyond the finish line of our earthly service, just as Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus looks beyond the cross that was set before him.

We need to stay on our knees, stay focused, come up slowly while maintaining our speed and prevent stumbling, get into our pace with patience and then look beyond the finish line.

Through Chung’s battle with cancer, he never slowed down. He never complained and never felt sorry for himself. He never stopped serving, never stopped loving. Just last Sunday as I was headed into the auditorium, a Chung smile lit me up for the day as we met briefly in the hall. He never let on that he was running the race of his life. He was holding his pace with patience. He had his eyes firmly set beyond the finish line.

Last Wednesday Chung flew across the finish line, his chest breaking through God’s golden tape stretched tight.

Speaking with his wife Shirley, she said that the last couple of weeks it seemed to finally be dawning on Chung that he might no longer be able to run, swim and do those things he loved so much. This must have been a tremendously difficult realization for Chung. Today, though, Chung is no longer on the track. He is now in the stands along with that great cloud of witnesses, cheering us all on.

“Keep that head down and be careful not to rise up so fast! Watch it! Don’t stumble! Relax! Don’t tense up whatever you do! Let those arms swing loosely and don’t clinch your jaw. Come on! You can do it! Keep that pace. Patient! Focus! Keep those eyes 10 yards out beyond the finish line!”

Many people who loved Chung could not make it this morning. If you would like to share this, remember just to click the button to the bottom right that says “Email this post.”

Chung, I miss you so much already!