MAN TO MAN
As men we tend to live in turmoil. Going from one problem to another, that's probably why we don't have time to build and work on relationships that would be a benefit to our overall life.
Benjamin Franklin once gave some advice that we should ponder;
"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better man."
Simple but sound advice.
I tend to turn that around, I give into my vices and fan the flames of war with those around me. I pledge to be a better man every New Year, but like so many resolutions they soon fall back into what I was before.
So what as a Man have I learned?
GIVING UP IS HARD TO DO!
I keep wanting to prove that I have learned the secret of following God and becoming that godly man that the Bible talks about, but I insist on doing it my way!
At every turn I'm humbled by my own failures, but never rejected by a Father that loves me and seems to encourage me to get up and try again.
Will I ever get it right???
I hope one day, but I'm sure of one thing,
I'LL NEVER BE REJECTED!
I like the reassurance of never bEing rejected because of our failures but wonder if it is not contingent on REMAINING IN Christ so that He will remain in us. (What happens if we do NOT remain in Christ? Is God somehow obligated to save us anyway?) Even though we know we will never be perfect in this life, we learn from Paul's writings that include phrases like "be transformed," "be filled with," and "put off childish things," that God wants us to stive to be the men He calls us to be in Jesus Christ. In order to have any hope of becoming mature, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit and with the Word of God. We also see in Proverbs 27:17 that it helps to have other men assiting in the process.
ReplyDeleteMen have the worst problem letting go of control.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid the ones of us in Christian work have more of a problem with this than the rest.
We seem never to realize who is really in control. I think if we ever do then we will get it right. As usual easier said than done.
Isn't it a matter of perspective? working on challenges and not problems? Does it depend on what station of life we are in?
ReplyDeleteIf we are strategic in problem solving we will build relationships as a result. Just a thought
The idea of perspective is a man's way of trying to figure God out. I know that I have a hard time time seeing my failures and God's acceptance from His point of view. The only example I can look to is how God continually forgives and restores Israel. They still end up paying a price, but He doesn't hold back on the blessings and coverings.
ReplyDeleteIs this thinking to naive?