A Lesson Learned from Clark Kellogg

Philippians 4

　
　
Clark Kellogg is an announcer for CBS Sports. He was an All-American basketball player at Ohio State and went on to play in the NBA. He is also a solid believer in Christ who shares his faith by word and deed.

Last week there was a short article in The Columbus Dispatch about Clark. Apparently CBS switched him from the lead game analyst to a studio anchor. I don’t know how Clark actually felt about this change. The article said it was a "surprise he wasn’t expecting".

It’s possible that he could have felt like it was a demotion. He could have taken it that his bosses lost confidence in him. He might have felt like someone beat him out of his position. Maybe he loved and preferred doing the live game analysis. He could have felt angry and resentful.

Instead, here is Clark’s response: "Organizational change is inevitable. My job is to embrace and do my best in whatever job I’ve been given. I’ve always felt that nobody’s indispensable. I’m a team guy. The Bible says be joyful, prayerful and thankful at all times. That’s how I try to live."

There are changes that come along in all of our lives. Expectations are not met. It might be at work or in our marriage or with our kids. Maybe it’s a personal disappointment about ourselves. Life is dynamic, not static. It is constantly changing and we don’t have control over it as much as we would like to. So the question for us is how do we respond to these changes?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Paul was under house arrest when he wrote this. I’m pretty sure he could have thought of a thousand other places he would rather have been. I’m pretty sure he didn’t expect to be there. I’m pretty sure that this is one change that was a "surprise he wasn’t expecting".

"I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation."
And what is that secret?

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again rejoice."

　
　http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians%204&version=NIV;TLB
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Phil.4