by Mark Milioni
I was saddened to learn that ESPN announcer Stuart Scott died January 4, 2015, following a seven-year battle with a rare form of cancer. I have closely followed his story for a very personal reason.
I vividly remember lying in a hospital bed in November of 2007 in the Cleveland Clinic. I was watching television when a special news report was broadcast on ESPN. Scott had been covering a Steelers Monday-Night Football game in Pittsburgh when he was taken to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. That is where our stories began to merge. My wife had taken me to the emergency room in October where I was diagnosed with appendicitis. At my follow-up appointment with the surgeon, I received the news that my appendicitis had been caused by a tumor. I had never even heard of appendiceal cancer until my diagnosis, and now, ESPN was announcing that Stuart Scott had the same disease! He was the only other person I knew who was fighting this particular kind of cancer. I had someone I could relate to.
Appendiceal cancer is rare; fewer than 1,000 people are diagnosed with it each year in the U.S. Treatment includes extensive surgery, chemotherapy, and other invasive procedures. Scott and I both learned that the typical prognosis for our type of cancer is not promising, and 80 percent do not survive beyond five years. My surgery in November was the beginning of a very difficult year, after which I was on my way to a full, cancer-free recovery. Scott’s story took a different path. He faced a recurrence of his cancer in 2011 and then again in 2013.
When I read about his death it shook me. It saddened me. It made me reflect on life. I have never met Stuart Scott, but we were brother soldiers in a battle together — partners in a project, teammates trying to defeat a common enemy.
Scott summarized the battle, “When you die that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live. So live. Live.”
My battle against this insidious cancer left me with a heart of compassion. It hurts to hear of my fellow soldier’s death in his well-fought battle. This heart of compassion also aches for my other band of brothers — my fellow pastors. Every week I hear about a pastor going through tough times. His battle may be caused by a disgruntled member, a disappointing staff, declining finances, or he may simply feel that despite his valiant efforts and an occasional victory, the war just cannot be won. My heart aches for you. I may not know you personally, but I do recognize your hurt, your concern, and your worry. I understand. I have been there. My heart is right there with you, praying for you and ready to encourage you. Don’t give up, my brother. Don’t give in. Don’t quit. There is too much at stake. If you give up, who will be left to proclaim the saving grace of Jesus? Remember that ultimately the battle is the Lord’s. So live. Live. Live for Him.
Scott’s death served as a wakeup call to me. How blessed and precious life is, no matter how long it may be. God reminds us of this in James 4:14, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.” We do not know how long our lives may last, but we can use all the time we have left to focus on what will last. What are the only two things that last for eternity? Answer: The Word of God and the souls of people. With this thought in mind, I encourage you to ponder these questions.
What am I doing with the life God has given me?
I ask myself this question daily. Am I where I should be, or have I let sin, pride, or even laziness keep me from becoming all that God has designed me to be?
How can I be the most influential for Christ?
I loved being a pastor and never considered leaving this calling until I received a call from BBC. Then this question became most real for me — do I remain a pastor and reach my city, or do I share my knowledge of ministry to enable others to reach the world?
What am I doing that is not effective?
I constantly evaluate. What works? What doesn’t? What wastes time? How much time do we spend as pastors complaining and arguing with each other? Imagine what could happen if we used our words to encourage and lift each other up instead of criticizing the methods, music, and ministries of others.
What am I doing that will last?
Am I reading, memorizing, and teaching the Word of God? Am I developing relationships with others that will draw them to Christ? Am I loving my wife and family the way Christ loved the church?
What do I need to change?
So, here’s to living a life focused on what is important, letting go of what is not, and appreciating the life and family we have. Thanks Stuart for helping me realize what I have been given. I will live. Live. Live for Him.