I Am That Man

We’re deep in the middle of January 2014 and I’m already behind.

Am I the only one who feels that way? Am I the only one who’s late on responding to emails…and phone calls…and has this ever-growing list of undone chores at work and at home? It’s bad. I feel like I’m behind on everything. I mean, I’ve been talking about washing “Lil Red” (my ‘97 Ford Ranger pickup) since Thanksgiving. I may as well just re-name it “Lil’ Gray” at this point.

And all of the joy from the holidays has been snuffed out or deafened by the cry of guilt I feel from leaving so many things left undone.

And there seems to be no end in sight.

I’ve recently asked my admin Lori to help me get some of this monster under control—and help me schedule as much of my world as possible. I hope it helps, but I know myself too well…and I don’t have the best track record, when it comes to transformation and change.

But I want to change.

I want to be…as Jim Burgen’s teaching in the “I Am That Man” series over the last couple of weeks…“a common man with an uncommon desire to succeed.” I want to succeed at home as a husband and father and (recent) grandfather…I want to succeed in my relationships with the people God has put along my path…and I want to succeed at flatirons as the men’s pastor.

The truth is…my success in those areas all rises and falls on whether I have an uncommon desire to succeed in my relationship with Christ. It’s been sobering listening to Jim talk about this—pointing out my failures in putting Jesus first in my life. I know this is true, but so often (and I’m sure I’m not alone) that growing list of things to do gets in the way of what should be at the very top of the list: Jesus.

So I’m going to succeed this year…and I want/need you to hold me accountable to this. I want to follow what Paul writes about in Romans 12:1-2 when he writes,

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Emphasis mine)

I need to change (transform), but the only way that change can happen is if I no longer cling to my bad habits (conform). And the only way I can transform is by renewing my mind…which comes from walking closely to Jesus…and reading, studying, mulling over His word.

So, in this New Year…2014…I’m committing myself to reading through the entire Bible again—something I haven’t done in a couple of years. I’ve done it in the past, but I slacked off in the last couple of years. I’ve let other stuff get in the way.

And hopefully, by this time next year, if you ask me, “Are you that guy who read through his Bible last year…who drew closer to God through his study…and was transformed and renewed?” I’ll be able to say… 

      

I am that man.

Want to join me?           

—Dan