Wild Men of God

As we work and focus on making a successful contribution to this world we know.  We strive to be good employees, to make more money, to get a better car, to move into a bigger, better home. Our upward spiral called life. We push, and work and struggle to justify all the energy we put into our daily lives. Over the years we experience relationships, many get married, many fail, many remarry.  Men are quickly categorized in the performance viewed by others.

The self condemnation does not take much gasoline to be a raging fire out of control. It can be as simple as a tv show, a news segment or a guy in traffic.  We analyze how we match up. We are doing better than that one, and that one, and, oh, not that one.  The shame over comes my senses and I reflect on the mistakes I have made. The passivity that I lived out and did not make decisions that could have been beneficial.

The truth is, every man has failed that you have ever seen. Some decisions are of course more damaging than others.  Our walk as men in this time of ages puts us in a situation where we want to make a difference but let’s really think about what we are striving for.  To make a difference, to have people remember us.  Now we definitely don’t want to be remembered for failing, but how much do you have to do to be remembered for good actions and intentions?

Gary who?

I was recently driving down a local road and I recognized a sign while in traffic. It indicated I was on the “Tom – blankty, blank memorial parkway”. I have to say blankity-blank, because I cannot even remember the guys name. It is on a very popular road, but I have never heard anyone refer to that road by his name.  I have to guess that this mysterious man must have done something honorable enough to have a road named after him. Think about it, how many people do you know that has a road named after them?  This man must of desired to make a difference. It appears that he made an impact on someone, but really what the dreams that he had as a boy?  Was his dreams running out the front door as a rambunctious boy depicted with a commemorative sign on the side of the road? I highly doubt it.

Now let’s think about people that have impacted our life. It has to do with people that took the time to get involved in our lives.  They could be sports coaches, teachers, neighbors, parents of friends, and the list goes on.  As a boy we might have strived and emulated some famous actor or sports figure, but realistically we never fulfilled those dreams. Does that mean we failed? By no means.  We have a great opportunity, regardless of our past failures and our age to make an impact. We can be remembered.

Mentor, share and help others

I can guess you can remember the name of your teachers, each and every grade in elementary school. That is because they were a part of your life. You have the ability to be a part of people’s lives. Whether it is a relative or a coworker or just a friend. What kind of person are you around others? Are you encouraging? Are you always grumpy, complaining? Critical, judgmental? For what purpose? We know that it would be better to have someone come along side of us when we have not done well or made a mistake and help us through a difficult situation.  This is such an opposite situation when we are condemned and ridiculed by onlookers.

Every move, action and attitude we share with others has the opportunity to impact someone else. Your actions and motivations are a representative of who you are. Take every opportunity to engage the moment and make the best of it. We never know when our action may be our last.

I was reminded this morning as I got ready to go to work; checking bank balance, reading my devotional, planning for the day and just trying to be on top of the game.

Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.- Matthew 7:13-14 MSG

So many times I catch myself trying to find the shortcuts. The easy way to do things.  Then I get this weird idea that I am a better person if I identify all of the shortcuts and not miss any.  Many times my focus is on the end, instead of the journey.  Reminds me of hiking in the mountains and coming down some switchback trails. If you don’t know what those are, they are the ones where you look down and you can see the trail zigzag back and forth and you can see the trial below of where your going to be. Then the opportunity arises. There is that shortcut. That quick barely traveled path between paths that cuts the distance down. When I was younger, I was quick to find any shortcut available, and even trail blaze some of my own.

Now as I reflect, I have taken short cuts in my life and all I have done is miss the experience of the corners.  That scripture also tells me that I need to pay attention, this is not a stroll in the park. It is a downhill descent that needs all of our attention.  Downhill decent rides on mountain bikes come to mind.  It is not a simple coast down the hill. It takes all your attention and ability to make it down safely.  As you ride you get tired, your attention gets weak, your hands and arms get weak, that is when people get hurt.

That is the same for us on a daily basis, keep your eyes open, pay attention. Don’t miss life…