Relax and Kickback

My Lord I pray with each new day

This crown from me you would take

I've passionately fought and hurried through

My own strength has dwindled, of this, there is proof

Do I have what is required, what it takes to wade deeper

On every front I watch it grow steeper

A crippling fear sets in, that is thrown away

I was not crafted to function this way

But through peace I see more eloquently

The love with which you've formed me

More than that I'm a gift already paid for

Hand wrapped and ready to wage war

But why Lord, was I placed about face

To confront the rubble filled path in my way

Because your grace is sufficient to strengthen me

Your power Christ, of this I have seen

Because my fear says that you are not enough

Which is a lie, I'm more than sure of

You've led me by still waters

You've strengthened me in times of need

Our story together, whether great or bad

You have shown me what I need

If

So I was in humanities class and we were talking about Rudyard Kipling and discussing his influence as a writer in the civilization he lived in. I don’t remember honestly where he came from, I didn’t really pay attention, but that is entirely beside the point. This conversation jogged my memory of reading Kipling in a book I’ve been reading in my free time “The Way of the Wild Heart” by John Eldredge. I guess the purpose of this post is to discuss what goes on in my brain when I read this poem.

“If you can keep your head when all about you

Are loosing theirs blaming it on you

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you

But make allowance for their doubting too”

These first four lines I think are essential for a man to hear. He talks about a man who holds strong against something that would break most men. I think most men daydream about being put into tough situations and coming out victorious which is why I love the 3^rd and 4^th lines. Trust in yourself when everyone disagrees, but don’t stop there. Make allowance for their doubting too. Put yourself in their position; don’t be closed off in a prideful attitude to what others think about you.

Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk Humbly with your God”

 It sucks, pride is so sneaky and sometimes goes unnoticed. To me, one of the biggest enemies of pride is being vulnerable with my friends. As the proverbs says Iron sharpens Iron, if I can be open with them in my thoughts and actions, I know I’ll be challenged to think through stuff and if my actions prove to be from a motivation of pride, my hope is they will be found out.

“. . . Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating”

We’ve all lied, we’ve all hated, how to we respond when other’s lie to us or hate us?

As Christian’s were not supposed to respond in this manor. It is found biblically how God will deal with us if we won’t forgive our brothers for a small offence. We have a bigger offence towards God, but neither our brother’s offence towards us, nor our offence towards God end in revenge. I know I don’t easily let things go, but it is a humbling reminder to think of all of the things I’ve been forgiven of. The other day when I was running I stopped at a bench by the intercoastal and concluded the running portion of my evening. I was exhausted mentally, spiritually, and physically before I ran, but it was well-needed time with God. I began to thank him for every little thing in my life. My heart previously had been going through a lot of doubting and immediately I was reminded of all that God has done for me.

It is easy to hold on to little things and not even really notice it, but God is calling us to forgive and not function out of anger.

“You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

“If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:”

Can you image how Christ feels when we as Christians take part of his word and ignore other parts of it? I can only image the frustration when someone preaches about

What the author indicates is that people will take what you’ve said and put holes in it to fit their purpose. Maybe not intentionally but it still tends to happen. I think these few lines are my favorite out of the poem because it sparks my interest in the way we communicate. One phrase can be taken and communicated many different ways. When someone reciprocates what you’ve said to him or her, expect it to not be identical. Our words have to travel through so many different unseen barriers to be received. Now the author more hits on how people will take what you’ve said to spin it for their own purposes, but the above section is what flicks on in my mind when I read it.

The last two lines in accordance with the first two lines describe a resilient man who is seasoned. You may be able to keep your head about you, but at times your going to see the work you’ve done completely fail. Don’t stop at the first road bump, have confidence in yourself and your ability. Stay humble unless you want to face a whole side road of speed bumps. It is key that you “stoop and build ’em up” because it will build character, appreciation, and resilience.

“ If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them “ Hold on”!”

This section talks a lot about perseverance, which is key in a man’s life. Discipline to push through and to train to lean into God as your life and supply line.  It can be stretching if you’re in a position that you don’t enjoy all the time. I think it is naïve to think that no hardships can come in a season of life.  The second line of this portion is very meaningful to me. Part of the call to manhood that Kipling talks about is serving and persevering through the times when your heart isn’t necessarily in it. If in a marriage you weren’t feeling it that day and decided to dip out, it would reflect heavily on the boy that you are and your character. We are called to be committed, a man of our word, a steward of what we are given. You see the character of a man who works through his time of doubt and stays committed to God even when things are difficult.

And so when your pushed to the point where you feel like giving up, remember God is faithful. Remember the things in your life that he has taken you out of, the lessons he has taught you, the people he has put in your life to support you. There are so many things to be thankful for, and it is so incredibly easy to feel like you are on your own pushing through it all. So Hold on, God’s taking care of you. He sees value in you.

2 timothy 2:13-14

“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”

“Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And- which is more- you’ll be a Man, my son!”

 Thanks for reading

Josh Gradwohl