Somewhere in my spiritual journey I became tame. Somewhere in time I bought in to and accepted the notion, that I needed to know where the light switches were in the tunnel. I needed to know the whys, hows, and wheres of my journey with God. I came to believe that I needed to, and had the right to know the destination. . .ultimately I became tame, timid, and tired. I began to evaluate and study life. I had to figure life out.  And in the process I settled down and became a “responsible” Christian. At some point in my journey I started to ask the “Why?” question. Why would we want do that? Why would you want to change this? Why do we need to do it differently?

Even though I accepted this as normal, there was always a yearning. . .a sense deep within me that knew this wasn’t right. This morning God showed me that I had stopped dreaming big dreams and stopped asking “Why not?” He showed me men, who over the years, have asked the “Why not?” question.   Men who have influenced me in the past and continue to influence me, even now. Guys like Steve, Ed, Stacey, and Gene. Guys who don’t let the “Why?’s” tie them to the leash of life. These are men who I have heard with my own ears ask, “Why not?” These guys are an inspiration to me and serve as a reminder that we are not to live the caged life, but to live the wild, adventurous life of following God. Every morning we are to hit the floor willing to live the life focused on the pursuit of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; the life that knows no boundaries; the life lived with wild anticipation that God will do something extraordinary with me and those who are willing to ask “Why not?”

This morning I committed to God to stop worrying about the how and focus on the what. I apologized for not fighting for Him, for Cindy, and for a few good men. I sought His forgiveness for allowing this world, the church, and my own fears to turn me into a complacent, life-numbing, man whose focused had become  “Why?”

What about you? Men, God has called us to be adventurous. He’s put that part of himself within us. He destined us to become leaders and warriors, men who are willing to fight for their King, their Eve, and the hearts and lives of a couple of other fellow warriors. Don’t become what I had become. Don’t become the “Why?” guy. If you find yourself in that place, confess it to God and ask Him to prepare you for the journey. You may have to unload some gear. You may have to set down some comforts. You will have to leave the why’s and where’s behind. You will have to let go of some baggage like pride, selfishness, anger, sarcasm, doubt, and worry. You will have to lace up your boots, grab a knife, sword, or spear, and head out into unknown territory.   You will have to trust God – that He is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do.  You will have to stop asking the “Why?” question and will have to start asking the “Why not?” question.

Won’t you join me in the tunnel?

Mike

Along those lines I believe that every man who calls himself a Christ-follower ought to live a life that demands some evidence of his commitment to Christ.

I was reading John 12 last week and it got me to thinking.

In John 11 you have Jesus raising his good friend Lazarus from the grave – he was dead and is now alive. In chapter 12 we find Jesus hanging out with his really close, used-to-be-dead-now-he’s-alive friend. Jesus and his disciples are at Lazarus’ house eating, sharing stories, you know. . .guy stuff.

While they are there a whole bunch of folks start showing up, not only to see Jesus, but to see this guy who was dead and is now alive! I’m sure I would be one of the gawkers. C’mon. . .think about it. Here’s a guy that was really dead – he was dead for 4 days and really, really stunk. Now he’s walking, talking, laughing, eating, and drinking. Wouldn’t you want to see him?

OK, back to the story. . .

As it turns out, because  of Lazarus’ encounter with Jesus many Jews began to follow Jesus. And because of this, the Pharisees get perturbed and not only wanted to kill Jesus, but added Lazarus to the hit list as well.

As I read this I realized that Lazarus, who was dead and is now alive by Christ, was pointing people to Jesus. What a great lesson for us. We, too, who were dead in our transgressions or sins (Eph 2:1-3) have been made alive in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:4-5). And if we have been made alive in Christ, then shouldn’t our lives, also, be pointing people to Christ?

Men, if you have been alive in Christ, by accepting Him as your personal Lord and Savior (Rom 10:9-10), then you must ask yourself the question, “Does my life point people – my wife, my children, my clients, my boss, my friends, guests at my church, people I teach or serve with – to Jesus?” If not, then what can you do to change that? Whether you believe it or not there are people watching you and your life is speaking volumes to them. Which volume are they reading?

What evidence is there in your life that you have been raised from the death of your sins and made alive in Christ? Or do you look so much like the world that no one knows the difference. Yes, Lazarus was the same Lazarus. . .except he was different. Just ask a dead man what it means to be alive!

Just something to think about,

Mike