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Man Up
This evening, while coaching our 14 year old girls softball team, the manager of the team made the decision to hit hard drives out into left field to every player on the team toward the end of a rather rigorous practice. The only instruction was that the player (some quick, some slow, some small, and some large) go after the ball with all their might, then throw it to either second or third base upon command. They were to either catch it, dive for it, and if they missed, run with all their might after the ball and get it thrown to the designated base. The only catch was that at the very moment the girl threw the ball, the next one was hit to them no matter where they were in the outfield; randomly going in either direction; some in front of them, some over their heads. For me, I had the great pleasure out in left field forcefully encouraging the girls to not give up. As each girl finished their round of 15-20 balls, some were on the verge of passing out, some were in tears of burning pain in their legs, some were grass stained from diving after the balls, and some were ready to go again. And to add to all of this, some were doing this all while going through their monthly cycle.
I would imagine that some parents or even coaches would call this cruel and unusual. However, if you were to see the last few games knowing that these girls had it in them to give it their best and didn't; you would have probably done the same drill. What this team needed to know that after losing six games in a row due to lack of effort was that each of them had something in them that still gave them the ability to not give up; no matter what. The giant they have been facing was fear of failure.
We all know of that feeling. No matter how much our head says to do something that we know is right, we avoid it all cost (i.e. approach another man you know is cheating on his wife or frequents immoral web site.) Or let's turn it around. No matter how much we know what we are about to do is against God's law and teachings, we go ahead and do it anyway. God knows we are not perfect; He proved this way back in the Garden of Eden. All throughout the Bible, there are accounts of just how imperfect his creations could turn out to be when they didn't follow His word. However, these imperfections; "Giants" as we will call them, could all be worked into perfection with repentance and a willingness to "Face our Giant's and overcome them.
Looking at the clock right now, it's 12:48am and I am conquering one of my Giant's, keeping the Valiant Man Nugget ministry alive and well. God has me do this because it used to be that in the midnight hour, I would be surfing the web for that which I thought was missing, an unmet need. In the book, Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction by Mark R Laaser, he suggests that "our fantasies [Giants] have three purposes:
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To distract us from pain;
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To meet an unmet need; or
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To recast addicts' experiences of past abuse."
Going back to tonight's softball practice, the unmet need of these girls was not knowing that they could conquer their fear of going after the ball and possibly dropping it, making an error that could possibly result in costing a run to come in. However, what they didn't know until the practice ended was that the point of the exercise was to not get them to catch the ball, but rather to get them to run as hard as they could after the prize. It didn't matter if they caught it or missed the catch. What mattered the most was them giving it their very best facing their giant. And God shined down the girls tonight with the knowledge they now have, that with just a little bit of additional effort, and some generous encouragement, they could conquer anything that was hit at them. And guess what, even though they were tired and run down, each walked away with their heads held high.
So Valiant Men of God, what can we learn from this? What Giant's do you face in the midnight hour, at your place of employment, with your wife or loved one, or maybe deep inside of you. Can we learn something from these 14 year old (and under) girls about "running after the prize?" I hear the words "Man Up" spoken so often regarding things; not of God but of things in this world. Where do you believe these words, "Man Up" originated from? Well let me offer this up to you: Jesus is a man that walked upon this earth and He faced temptation; His enemies came to judge Him; spat and threw stones at Him, and ultimately hung there upon the cross to die for our sins. He was a "Man Up" on a cross looking down upon the world facing His Giants.
So, "Man Up" Valiant Men of God; face and conquer your giants. The afflictions that we as men face, can and will be conquered with God's help. Won't you join me in God's Word found in Psalms 119:57 - 72:
One last thing, I have heard accounts of how these "Nuggets" have been positive influences on your lives. We all need to know of these testimonies yet only one of you have written in. And with almost 500 men visiting your site so far, I encourage you to send in you testimonies so that other men just coming to this site can see the "Giants" you have conquered.
Until next time, keep
your eyes on Jesus !
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