by Bootcamp NW team member Tony Adams
Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
Jeremiah 6:16a (NIV)
Author Morgan Snyder: Becoming A King: Session 1— Becoming Powerful
If you haven’t watched the 15 minute video linked above, I highly recommend it before continuing. I was wrecked by it, absolutely wrecked. And here’s why:
So long as a man is taking the most fundamental need he has as a man, and bringing it to his world, he will be absolutely dependent on circumstances and outcomes for his peace.
- Morgan Snyder
How many of us can relate to that? As a man, I tend to view problems as external; my boss, my wife, the “government” and so forth. This leads me to see my joy and happiness (peace) as being linked to how others interact with me, even if they don’t know me. What is particularly troubling is the effect this has on my identity and what I’m worshipping. It is a brilliant strategy to keep me focused on everyone’s problems but my own while also providing idols for me to worship.
At my age, and with a family, I am squarely in the stage of a King. If I don’t lead well, fighting on behalf of those in my realm, then they will suffer. I only have to read news articles to see how badly the world is doing under kings unwilling to fight on behalf of those in their kingdoms. They primarily wield power for their own pursuits. When unexpected events occur, other people who inhabit the kingdom shoulder the brunt of the consequences. -1
Given the current state of the world, many of us are under a tremendous amount of pressure these days. I, for one, am currently unemployed and fighting to obtain unemployment benefits. When we are put under this type of pressure, rifts of character tend to come up to the surface. I am very broken to be sure. Feelings of fear, uncertainty, overwhelmed resulting in anger and rage are common. All of these are me bringing my need as a man to the world. Do I have what it takes to weather this storm, to provide for my family and lead them, walk in kingship rather than tyranny?
While I’m admittedly not very good at it, I have to go to God to answer these questions that are so core to my identity.
If you are experiencing any of this, here are some questions that may help drive you to seek the Author of your story for answers.
When the pressure is on, what has been surfacing for you now or in the recent past?
Think of a moment when you were entrusted with power. How did that go for you?
You can order Morgan’s new book Becoming a King now. We have all really been enjoying it and highly recommend it.
1. Worship is defined as that which we give our heart over to in expectation of Life in return (John Eldredge).