Those are the words I needed to hear today.
They are also the words spoken by Lt Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL, on the day he laid down his life for his brother.
On June 28th, Murph led a four-man reconnaissance team during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan to locate and disrupt Taliban leader Ahmad Shah. When the team was ambushed on June 28, 2005, Murphy demonstrated extraordinary bravery by moving to an exposed position to call for reinforcements, ensuring his teammate Marcus Luttrell’s eventual rescue despite being fatally wounded.
At the 73rd-minute mark of the movie Lone Survivor. Murph spoke the hard but hopeful words to his best friend Marcus: “never out of the fight.” Then, he mustered up all his remaining strength to climb out of the pit and radio for help to rescue his friends.
“Never out of the fight”
This is a common saying among the navy seals. This means no matter what you have been through, no matter the challenge you are facing, and no matter what pit you find yourself in, you are never out of the fight.
I’m not sure if you know this about me, but I struggle with depression. For the past ten days, I have been in a pit myself—a downward spiral of depression, anger, comparison, and hopelessness. I’m still not out of the pit, but I am taking a different stance today. Today, I am choosing my words carefully and saying, “Mark, you are never out of the fight.” Yes, there are some things that you wish were different and could change about the past. And there are things that you are anxious about in the future. But the only thing you can impact is the present. You are never out of the fight.
So, I offer the same hard but hopeful words to you. No matter what you have been through, no matter the challenge you are facing, no matter what pit you find yourself in, you are never out of the fight.
This weekend, CrossFit gyms worldwide will do the “Murph” workout in solidarity as a tribute to Michael Murphy and all fallen soldiers on Memorial Day.
The workout consists of:
– 1-mile run
– 100 pull-ups
– 200 push-ups
– 300 air squats=
– and another 1-mile run
– while wearing a 20 lb weight vest
This workout was one that Michael Murphy would often do in his training. Training that made it possible for him to say
“Never out of the fight”.
You also may know that I have been doing a 30-day writing challenge. James Clear says, “Never miss twice,” which means if you miss a day, you have to get back up the next day. While I agree and embrace that truth, I want to add my own spin.
“If you find yourself in a pit and you’ve missed ten days in a row, remember you are never out of the fight.”
And check on your friends, and remind them that they are never out of the fight.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
