November is Men’s Month here at UN-ASSOCIATED and for the month of November, our weekly Morning Devotionals will be authored by men in our community. The theme and prompt of each piece is identity and what plagues or inspires the men they presently are or aspire to be.
November 23rd, 1961
Three score and three years ago, I interrupted Thanksgiving Dinner with my arrival through childbirth, and the world was irrevocably changed (because dinner and the family celebration and fellowship were curtailed) for God had acted. From that moment on, and ultimately, with each thought and breath, my mind has searched for direction, purpose, and inspiration. For every person, especially men in particular, this is a very distinct and arduous endeavor (Most often, an exercise in futility.) In every arena, vocation, and portion of our lives, in every organization, group, club, career, clique, and neighborhood, we are quantified, categorized, measured, and assessed, especially as men.
If we are not cognizant, alert, or especially circumspect, the world’s measurement becomes our assessment or perception of ourselves, altering our true course, even our true nature.
From my indigenous relationship with my mother (the sweetest woman God has ever created), I was anointed with a prophecy of greatness (as all mothers do), but in my neighborhood growing up, I was cast as “weird”, “different”, “odd”, and in school, I was “polite but ordinary”; to the girls I was interested in, “strange” and “too nice”; on Wall Street, I was considered “too honest” to succeed. These conflicting assessments confused me and often had me in a spiral or headed in a path of misdirection. (Sometimes, self-doubt.) But remembering a mother’s encouragement in my youth, when in the middle of the night I awoke from a nightmare seeking comfort, I am easily grounded. I was able to circumvent all of the misdirection of the other assessments, categorizations, and stereotypes to find a true direction and life-affirming inspiration. When I couldn’t sleep, Momma informed me that I was dead in my sins, unless I repented from my sins and gave my life to God. Seeking righteousness and righteous thinking as well as His direction, our direction is clear.
There are four guidelines we can use to lift our aspirations, but a prerequisite of loving encouragement to anchor our sense of self-worth is necessary as a foundation. Momma always reminded me how “pretty” I was and how the world was not ready for my greatness, warning me that the world would be against it, but God would protect and uphold me.
Even if you believe that you are not equipped with this foundation, you’d be terribly mistaken. God, our Heavenly Father, informs and encourages us in the 139th Psalm that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
In addition, He fortifies us with the assurance that “I know the plans that I have for you, thoughts of peace, not for evil, for an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11). We only have to “search with all our heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). After our foundation, our guidelines are as follows:
First, if we seek ye first the kingdom of God (and all its righteousness), all of these things will be given unto us (Matthew 6:33). Second, if we search out Godly leadership and mentorship, inspiration, and greatness as defined by God will be yours. As Elisha was mentored by Elijah, Joshua by Moses, and Timothy by Paul, the inspiration of a Godly mentor is immeasurable. Third, ever reading and studying ourselves to be approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15), a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Our Bible is our source and answer guide and( it supplies the first two, the kingdom of God as well as Godly leadership.)
Finally, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). “These things” will inspire your thoughts (and others). Looking at higher things using the Spirit’s discretion, directed by our Bible, God encourages us. Following worldly aspirations, people, and thoughts, we cannot succeed, or ever find help. Our tools become lust, coveting, jealousy, and an idol-worshipping mentality.
We fall short of our aspirations when they are low. Guided by spiritual mentor, Daniel Nickerson, I found my spiritual compass and inspiration, mostly unbeknownst to him, but my direction became clear. I have learned and advise all I encounter to do as he has done – make it your life’s endeavor (like Christ Himself) to leave the world unrecognizable from when you entered it.
