Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9 - 10
In my opinion, my father is a great man. He is someone who taught me so much and helped me to see what it means to not only be a family man, but a godly man. Not to be out done, my mother is someone who understands her biblical role of being a partner and helpmate in their marriage. She knows when to speak up and when to keep quiet. Sometimes she is quiet just because she knows my dad has made up his mind and all she can do is just support his decision even if she disagrees with him.
We, as Christians, are called to a higher standard. I am hoping to encourage you as a follower of Jesus to learn from your elders and godly men and women around you. Who are your mentors or disciplers? I share this with you because I still learn a lot from both of my parents. I love them. They are sold out to Jesus Christ and continue to serve Him through their faith and actions. Recently, my father sent me this poem that I would now like to share with you. It has impacted me greatly:
The Guy in the Glass - by Dale Wimbrow
When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf[sic],
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.
For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.
He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the guy in the glass.
As Christians we are called to integrity and to be honest in all that we do, even through adversity. Seeking after worldly wealth and treasures will end up leaving you emotionally and spiritually empty. We must be willing to give up our own wants and desires to serve our King, Jesus Christ. So, when you look in the mirror can you look yourself in the eye and honestly say,
“I did everything to serve my King Jesus today.”
How are you doing with this?
"Leadership means setting an example."- Lee Iacocca
Galatians 6:1 – 10; James 1:2 - 8
Recently, my oldest son (Who is 12 years old) and I returned from his “Rite of Passage” into manhood trip. We did many things up in northern Minnesota at Wilderness North.
One thing I was hoping to do with him and hopefully teach him while we were there was how to maneuver a canoe. When we went canoeing it was incredibly windy. The lake that is a part of the campground is not only very large but it also has a river basically running through it. I knew we were possibly in for a difficult time. If you’ve ever paddled in to the wind or paddled against the current of a river you know what I’m writing about.
I decided we should not only paddle against the current but against the wind so we wouldn’t be tired paddling back to where the canoes are kept. I also, let my son know that this would be very difficult but hopefully we could get up the river and go fishing near where the river enters the lake. I also let him know that we would try to canoe close to the shore. Yes, this would make our journey much longer but I figured this would be much easier than getting far from shore with the wind blowing us all over the lake.
Well, the trip was still very difficult. In order to not go back to where we came from we needed to put the canoe almost on shore. So we would rest while we held onto branches and even weeds to keep from going back to where we came from. We had to figure out where to paddle and when to take breaks. One area was really nice because the shore completely blocked the wind and it was so nice paddling with ease.
We knew the rest would only last a short time before we would get back into the wind and current. We made a plan of attack on how to get to the actual river. My son made the decisions of where to go and how we would get there. It was pretty great seeing my son make a plan and take this adversity we were facing in stride.
We finally got to the river opening only to find it blocked by a small dam. We couldn’t get to where we were so desperately trying to get to in order to fish. That was a little disappointing but we were blessed to not only see an amazing beaver house but also a perfect paw print made by one of the beavers in the mud of their house. It was very cool. We didn’t catch any fish to write home about that day but we both learned some valuable lessons.
I was able to see that my son really is becoming a man. He didn’t whine once about paddling or say it was too cold to be out there. It was also exciting for me to see him start to take initiative and think and plan and lead.
My son got to see how rewarding it was to do something difficult and be rewarded even though it wasn’t what either of us was hoping for. He was also rewarded two days later with some nice northern pike at the end of his fishing line. They are great fighters and just reeling one in is exhilarating.
Have you ever done something that was difficult but the reward was worth it?
Have you ever had to face adversity and there was no immediate pay off?
How did those things help you not only mature as a person but to mature in Christ?
We must be willing to be men and women of integrity in all that we do. When trials come, and they will come, is when all that “training” you were doing to prepare for the difficulties in life make it all worth it. Focus in on what Christ has in store for you and stop making excuses!
Philippians 3:7 – 14 ~ “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
My oldest son, Ezra turned 12 years old last year.
When my son was about 3 years old my wife and I decided that after each of our children turned 12 years old that I would take them on a trip that year for a “rite of passage” into adulthood. We weren’t sure what this would all entail but we trusted God to lead us in the direction He would want these trips to take. Of course I would have “the talk” about the gift of sex and how as a responsible person we need to use that gift in God’s perfect plan.
I would also make sure to teach my children how to start a fire, how to tie a knot for fishing, how to shoot a gun as well as other skills needed in life.
For my oldest son’s trip we went to northern Minnesota in early May. (A beautiful place called Wilderness North. I highly recommend it).
We were the first campers of the year. In fact, the cook took me aside so my son couldn’t hear what she had to say and told me to make sure my son didn’t go outside alone at night because, as she put it, “The wolves and bears still think they run the place.” I was nervous but also realized we definitely came to the right place.
One thing I was excited for my oldest son to experience was solitude time with God. This was such an amazing thing to see how he went from fear of being alone to embracing the time of peace and quiet and just listening.
Before we began this time I told him in the morning that he would be spending 2 hours in solitude with God that afternoon. He said with a puzzled look, “What do you mean?” I told him he would be in his own place for two hours just listening and speaking to God and waiting for His direction. My son said, “Where will you be?” I told him just up the hill in the place he and I had stayed for two nights together.
Then he said, “You mean I’ll be by myself?”
I said, “No, I’ll be just up the hill if you need anything but more importantly God will still be with you and just seek Him out.”
I could tell he was nervous.
We finished breakfast and then spent a few hours together just talking about gifts and talents he has that God has given to him while we went fishing. Back at our cabin I told him how much I loved him and how exciting it was for me to see him growing up to become the man he is becoming but how hard it was too for me. To be honest, I cried quite a bit and so did my son. We realized that our relationship was about to change. Yes, it was good but still difficult.
After we got back to our camp we moved all his stuff to his new cabin and I told him this is where he would be sleeping for the night. Again, he asked, “What do you mean?”
I told him that he was becoming a man and that he would not only be spending 2 hours of solitude here but he would also be sleeping there for the night by himself. I could tell this made him very uncomfortable. So, we got him settled in and then he chopped his own wood for the fire, started his own fire and continued his solitude time. It was such a blessing to see how he handled 2 hours of silence and being alone with God. He seemed to have no problems what-so-ever. In fact, he read quite a bit of scripture, wrote a lot in his journal and even took time to just be quiet and still in the presence of God.
Lastly, as we left our “rite of passage” trip I challenged him to read a Proverb out of the Bible everyday. (If you didn’t know there are 31 Proverbs.) I challenged him to read the Proverb with the same number as the date for the month. Not only is he reading it now but his younger brother is reading this as well as my oldest sons leading. Praise the Lord!
So, why is something like this important? Read and meditate on Hebrews 5:11 – 6:3
Are you seeking our God’s plan for your life?
Are you willing to mature spiritually or just stay comfortable where you are at in your relationship with God?
Who is your discipler? If you don’t have one, who do you need to ask?
Who are you discipling?
Whether you are a parent or not do you think a “rite of passage” trip into manhood is a good thing? Why or Why not?
If so, what are something’s you would want to do on your trip?
