In 1994 I listened to a message by Bill Hybels entitled: The Legacy of a Leader, in which Bill challenged the congregation to focus on what is important in life from an eternal perspective. In this message he also asked: when is enough…enough and when does saving become hording? It was as if God was speaking only to me.

I had achieved a measure of success leading as Vice President of a large U.S. corporation. The Monday following this service I was negotiating a separation agreement with my employer and searching for a position in ministry. I started at the Willow Creek Association (WCA) in International ministry 16 months later. It was apparent that God had prepared me my whole life for this position through my International career in the marketplace.

Dear Friends,

This morning I visited a Chinese Three Self church here in Beijing and met with the senior pastor who had just finished a worship service in preparation for Good Friday and Easter. The church was founded at the turn of the last century and as you can imagine, has experienced turbulent times. Suffering in a big way is part of that history.

Although I knew Easter was coming, it was really not much on my mind. Until this morning I had seen no sign of it anywhere here in Asia/China, and with the hectic schedule I have, it was perhaps not surprising it slipped out of my consciousness. However, this morning changed that and as I am reflecting on the suffering of Christ for us, I was reminded that there are still lots of people today who are suffering for their faith in Christ in ways we cannot imagine. It reminded me of Paul, who wanted to know Christ at a new level, and even experience "the fellowship of his suffering." I wondered if that really is something I would ask for. Would I even be willing to go through with it if I had to choose between suffering or denying Christ?