You Can’t Stop Me…
Last week we were on the road playing Ottawa University. Prior to the game, I finally got the opportunity to shake a young man’s hand that had caught my eye multiple occasions over the past two years. Something about the young man seemed to be drawing my spirit to find the opportunity to say more than just hello. He had a contagious smile and spirit that I could not ignore. When I shook his hand and looked him in the eye, I realized he was even more special than I had recognized. I felt a powerful presence in him.
Michael Douglas, no not the actor, but the student assistant coach for the Ottawa Braves is literally and physically the definition of the word “Brave”. As you will read and see in the videos below, Michael is an inspiring warrior who beats the odds every day of His life. How big do you have to be in order to make an impact in the world? I would argue that often the fiercest warriors are often the least expected people. Many times Jesus talked about the least among us being the greatest, or in order to become great you must elevate Christ and others. We make the mistake often by looking at an athlete that can jump out of the gym or who is built like a Greek god and immediately elevate them to greatness. In John 13:35 Jesus makes it clear that people will know that you are my disciple, if you have Love for one another. Michael is as pure of a reflection of Love as I have seen! Not only that, but he is pure greatness with faith and fight that is rare.
Names can often define a person. Some of the most impactful and powerful people in the Bible had their names changed to represent who they were. We often give people nicknames in similar fashion. A good example is Simon, who Jesus renamed Peter “The Rock”, because he boldly stood and recognized Jesus as the Messiah in Matthew 16:16-18. Nearly every name in the Bible has meaning. There is no more powerful Michael than the Archangel who commands God’s army. During the war in heaven, Michael led the attack that defeated Satan. He leads the army of guardian angels who protect and carry out much of God’s will. I do not think it is a coincidence that Michael Douglas was given the name of a warrior Archangel. See for yourself.
Michael was born with a rare lung disease called ABCA3 Surfactant Deficiency. Fewer than 100 children nationwide had been diagnosed with it. This is an article written February 15th in 2009 about Michael a little over 10 years ago when he was in the 5th grade. Click Here
Five years later in 2014, while in the 10th grade, Michael made a video that really gives you a look at the heart of this warrior. Click here to see the video!
In 2016, Michael graduated from high school. Not only that, but he graduated with highest honors. Click here to read about his accomplishments.
I titled this Blog Post “You Can’t Stop Me” hoping that it would get your attention and cause you to read it. The lyric is often heard in popular songs. Another one of the most powerful persons I have ever met named David recently spoke with me about the power of love. David now 76, ironically has also battled a lung issue since youth. For most of his life he was a missionary in the Middle East. David lived in regions where people could be persecuted and possibly killed if they decided to follow Jesus. The nationals had a hard time grasping why David so deeply loved them. He directed a milk program that provided wonderful nourishment for the children. He said, “Coach, there is nothing more powerful than love. There were fanatics who hated me, but THEY COULD NOT STOP ME FROM LOVING THEM.”
Tomorrow we play Michael’s Ottawa team again in the Semi-Finals of our Conference Tournament. They beat us in overtime last week and we beat them earlier in the season. It should be another great battle. I look forward to seeing my young warrior friend and spiritual giant. Michael Douglas is a great example of how uncommon and strong faith can overcome mountains. He should wear a superhero outfit that says ‘YOU CAN’T STOP ME’ on his chest and ‘FROM LOVING YOU’ on his cape!
I gave Michael a Q&A. Check out his answers below.
- How have you felt God and the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen you on your journey?
I have felt God strengthen my journey my whole life. When I was diagnosed with my lung disease of ABCA3 surfactant Deficiency, doctors weren’t sure about the condition and what my life would be. I had five surgeries when I was younger, but luckily I don’t remember them. For my life, I am required to be on oxygen 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. With my body requiring oxygen, my doctors thought I would never go to school. This dealt a huge blow to my mother, who was an elementary school teacher. My mom took me to different healing masses around the Kansas City metro because God was going to help me get better. Well, he definitely did that because I was able to go to school from Kindergarten to graduating high school. I was blessed to achieve a 4.0 GPA in high school and be named Valedictorian of my class. My doctors have no explanation on how I keep persevering and my lungs are going to continue to improve. I know the explanation; it is God fulfilling his plan for me to continue to becoming healthy. Now he has allowed me to be a part of the Ottawa University Men’s Basketball Team. Coach Siebenthall has graciously given me the title of Director of Basketball Operations. I have enjoyed my three years at Ottawa and excited for my final year on the Brave!
2. What advice would you give others about overcoming challenge and/or trusting God in the tough times?
My advice would be to rely heavily on your faith and God. Everything in life is not going to be easy, but this all part of his plan for you. Everything happens for a reason, I believe that I have my lung disease to inspire others. I try my best to be the most positive person on campus and inspire others that they can do anything they put their mind to. I know that God’s plan for me is far from complete. One of my favorite bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11, which states “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I look at this bible verse everyday and I know that God’s plan for me is going to be great and I have to trust in him.
3. How powerful is Joy and Love?
Joy and Love are very powerful because in life it is important to have these qualities. I know I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my family. My parents and sister have tried their best to make sure that I live a normal life as a 20 year old. They have helped me travel to all of the Ottawa Basketball games in my three years. My mother has made sure my body stays healthy by making sure I stay rested and take all of my medications. My sister treats like a normal brother with no issues because we have a great relationship, with her taking me to movies and hanging out with her fiancé. Also, it is important to have friends that care for you. I have been blessed with a great group of friends at Ottawa, who help me with traveling to games by helping me carry my oxygen up on the bus. They really care for me and I care for them, I thank God for putting them in my life. It is important to find Joy in daily activities, because if I sat at home everyday I think I would go crazy. Going to class and being part of Ottawa University’s campus life really gives me Joy. Also, being part of a college basketball team gives me so much Joy because there would be a lot of kids who would want to be in my position. With people I have mentioned above, I have a lot of Joy and Love in my life.
4. How many times have you been told that you can’t do something? Hearing it is impossible, incurable, or against all odds?
I have been told by many people that I am not able to do something, whether it involves physical activity or something else. Of course, I didn’t let that stop me and I pushed forward. I made sure I was not left out of anything. I have been told by my doctors that I wouldn’t go to school and that the only thing that would cure my disease is to get a lung transplant. The lung transplant is an intense surgery because the possibility of rejecting the new lungs is not good. My dad has always told me that if I can keep my body healthy and my lungs stay stable with signs of improvement, there will be medicines to help me. Well I kept believing this and maintaining my body. I also knew that God was going to help with this situation and because of his great spirit, there are medicines coming out in the near future that have the potential to stop my disease and reverse the situation. My doctor has informed me that I will be put on a medicine this year that has the potential to really help and there are two more that will be approved in two years that are going to help as well. I knew God has helped me get to where I am and another bible verse that I use in my daily life is; Proverbs 3: 5-6, which states “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” I was told I would never go to school, well I proved that wrong and Graduated with a 4.0 GPA. I was told I would never to college, well I proved that wrong and I go to class and help with a college basketball team. I was told I would never graduate college; I will graduate in the spring of 2020. I was told I would never be able to work, I am going to prove that wrong by hopefully getting a job at the University of Kansas in the Communications Department. The last thing I was told I would never get to do is live without oxygen, well I am going to prove that wrong with the help of God and I know that in the very near future, my lungs will be healed with these new medicines!
God Bless, Michael
Photo by Nick Krug