Am I qualified?

As I sit here thinking back to men that I would call 'strong', about what it means to be a strong man, what it means to my family, and what it means for me as I think about standing in front of the Lord one day, I also hear a voice screaming in my ear that says “You’re NOT qualified to write anything about being strong!"

That same voice sneers at me how many times I have failed and reminds me of all my mistakes and poor choices. We all know the problem with past mistakes and poor choices is that they may not be years ago, they may be just yesterday. I don't know about you, but after I screw up, I don’t usually believe that I can get back on the good side of God that quickly. What I fail to remember is that there is no good “side” of God – God is good PERIOD! I don’t need to work my way back into his good graces. He is always instantly ready for me to get up and keep going, to be my strength through all of this thing we call life.

I sometimes think about the “great men” of our time and what they have accomplished with their studies, their degrees, being one of those that we call “Great” and then I begin to compare myself to them. There is no way that I measure up. I know that this is a dangerous place to go but some days I can’t seem to help it and it’s on those days, that what I’m doing for God, seems insignificant and irrelevant.

However-

There have been times when even some of these great men have fallen. Their studies and degrees no longer mattered, their “great” position made no difference on the day they fell. Their ministry crumbled and many of us watched in horror and disbelief because the one who was falling had a direct personal impact on our life.
When this happens, much of the world watches as the story breaks – salivating at the potential destruction of these great men and celebrating when the destruction appears complete. When the dust settles however – there is a deep sense of loss.

I can’t help but think that even many who don’t believe in God feel that sense of loss. Because deep down, they secretly hope that there's more to this life, however – if these great men weren't able to lean on God to get them through those situations in victory, what is there for those who hope in secret? Maybe they feel that God isn’t really able to work in our lives like they hear us saying he can. Sadly they are missing the most important part of it all - the Cross of Jesus Christ and his unconditional forgiveness.

So back to the question at hand – Am I qualified?

Let me answer this way. If these “great men” who are totally sold out to God, who would never compromise and who are in places of incredible influence - are capable of failing, and if ordinary men who are totally sold out to God who would never compromise, and who are committed to their wives and kids – if these men can also fail, who is left?

No One.

So what this all means is that whether a great man or ordinary man, all can fail and sometimes we fail miserably. I know I do. So we as men all face a common obstacle – sin. Since we can all fail, if we let those failures keep us silent, there will be no one left to spread the good news about the forgiveness of Christ and the life that he offers. It falls on us all, to keep going no matter when we last failed.

I am no theologian, no scholar, not a great man. What I am is an ordinary guy who wants to encourage other men to stand strong and stay committed. Never give up. Get up tomorrow even if today was a failure, and don't let the enemy win. Those are my qualifications and that's why I write.

All men, no matter their position in life,
have the potential to do great things for God...
If they will let God have his way in their lives.
That small thing, that may seem insignificant,
might be the difference between Heaven and Hell
to the person standing in front of you.

Never - give - up!

Next: The World's View