Keep Going

In my late 20s, I was mighty proud of myself. I stood tall when I mentioned my diploma from Stanford. I took credit for all my wonderfulness. I was the only alumnus who travelled to our 10-year high school reunion in my own airplane, a fact I managed to work into most conversations. When my friend, Dan, pointed to his yacht on a trailer behind his new Suburban, I, of course, mentioned my Cessna parked at the airport. I considered myself to be at the top of the world’s game. I must have been intolerable.

I aced my course on Thermodynamics but was not doing so great with my part in maintaining the proper temperature in my marriage and parenting situation. My natural gifts were strong in the solo worlds of academia, tennis, skiing, and piloting but not so much when it came to team sports, such as marriage or fatherhood.

The possibility of earning an “F” in marriage and parenting was starting to look like a real possibility. This is not like a college course that you can drop with no penalties. Depression and anger were at my doorstep. This was about the time that Jesus and I met at the Full Gospel Business Men’s dinner. My natural capabilities were fueling my pride. Jesus put the fire out just in time.

I’ve noticed that many, if not most, individuals who are victorious by the world’s measure struggle with success when it comes to the things that matter most: marriage, family, joyful living, leaving behind a lasting positive impact, and being friends with God.

I’m thankful God sent a few humbling experiences my way before my ship hit the reef. I have the feeling that, had I not responded to His discipline, He would have ratcheted it up until I did. Or didn’t. A loving Father, He is.

A couple of years ago, I transformed a pile of oak boards into a beautiful study desk for my granddaughter. It was lovingly made, and as perfect as I could manage. It took me three months from the start to the polyurethane finish.

I was a little proud of it. Then, I had a thought reminding me that I was created in the image of God. I get to create things just like He does.

This thought served to amplify something I already knew. Making something beautiful and complicated requires careful attention to design and plenty of creative effort. I’m reminded that the whole universe is the handiwork of my God. I felt like God was telling me to hold my personal pride in check. I thanked God for the skills, time, energy, garage space, and all those black and yellow DeWalt tools. I thanked Him for giving me the idea and ability to make something in the first place. I thanked Him for inventing oak trees and for the overwhelming joy of being a grandfather. He took that risk of allowing a measure of success in my life.

With that sneaky pride in check, God could be seen. He wants to be seen. The Bible tells us that God’s objective is for us to know Him and, furthermore, why He wants it that way. Your pride will hide this truth from you.

Perhaps you can admit there might be a god, but you're not ready to commit to believing in any one of them in particular. Plenty of time for that later. Or, if there is a god, you feel he is distant and not involved in the details of your everyday life. Or, maybe you believe in the god you invented in your mind, the one that makes sense to you, and you're just fine with that. These are all great places to start seeking. Keep Going.

An excerpt from “The Whispered Shout.”