After re-reading this chapter, I have a few more thought provoking (I hope) observations to make about the provisionary man.
The author elaborates on the word "provision" and describes how a real man uses that vision to "see around the bend," and "visualize ahead of time." He lists words and phrases to describe the man who is a visionary like "anticipation," "Thinking forward," and someone who "lives at and beyond the horizon." King.
As I dwell on the word picture he is painting here, I am struck by the realization that many of these necessary qualities are what I would call, "developed skills," not really natural to all men. To some perhaps but not all. They are learned skills, taught by our own fathers to us or modeled for us by the righteous life of someone we know.
I began to realize that when we work toward this ideal of a man, confidence will build. Our confidence in God that he will continue to be faithful to us. Confidence that we are on the right path, being very careful not to become self-confident or self reliant. But we will also begin to notice that the ones we care the most about will increase the confidence that they place in us. Wives who are being loved as Christ love his church will not question the leadership her husband exhibits. Kids who have a loving role model at home won't be as apt to look elsewhere to find out what it means to be a Man. God will bless our efforts.
It also caught my attention that he mentioned the word "vulnerability" in this chapter. It seemed to be out of place at first but as I pondered for a while, I realized what God wanted me to see:
We must be aware of our weaknesses to be on guard and not fall prey to them.
The Hebrews writer call it, "besetting sins," in chapter 12, verses 1-4. I think that none of us are really worried that we will fall into the sin of murder tomorrow. We are aware of what we consider "big sins" and generally can stay out of that type of failure. It is the little things, that can weigh us down and cause the stumble and failure in our lives.
In the Song of Solomon we read: "Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom." This is a warning to us that it is the "small stuff" that causes destruction. The things we don't pay much attention to keep us from being the visionary leader we should be.
Another thing that we must be on guard against is the loss of focus. Losing sight of the GOAL. Allowing something to come between us and the finish line.
This can happen when, as he described their hike in the wilderness, we get overwhelmed by the circumstances we can't control. When the weather closed in on their hiking party, not one of them had the ability to clear the skies. There will be times when we get lost in the fog of what is going on around us. Our landmark disappears from our horizon. It is then that we learn what it is to walk by faith and we learn to lean on God more. When I have achieved that goal I will let you know how to do it. God is still working with me on that.
Let's become the men that God called us to be. Start now to develop the skill set of the visionary leader described here.
Okay, what is on your mind?
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The provisionary man caught my attention as well. I've focused on my role as man to be a provider, defender, and mentor, but setting a vision for me and my family I never thought of. I've associated vision with my leader role in my worklife, not my personal or family life.
ReplyDeleteI agree Garry with your vulnerabilities comments. Many of us pride ourselves on not committing big sins, but how often do we entertain the little hidden sins? These little sins not only separate us from God, but also model an example for those we are called to lead/influence.
In the Psalms, David wrote, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." (Psm 139:23-24)
ReplyDeleteDavid was asking for God to go deeply into his heart and mind and determine if there was anything, anything at all, that was preventing him from the fullest fellowship with Him. I confess that I don't always pray that prayer.
Some one else chime in.
Taking action is an integral part of being a provisionary. You can have vision out the whazoo, but you have to get on your horse and ride to the horizon, not just sit on it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Adam that being a provisionary also takes action. It made me think about the question from Garry on the last post about the difference between guiding and steering. In my opinion, too many of us get caught up in the steering role, whether with our families or at the church. To me the steering concept is someone who pushes the group into a certain direction, telling others where they need to go.
ReplyDeleteA true provisionary would take the guide role. Someone who leads the way, a man in the trenches, not someone just pointing out the obstacles to come, but someone who tackles those obstacles with you. In the book Simple Church, the concept of the tour guide on a rafting trip instead of the travel agent who books the trip is discussed. Leaders, whether with the church or in your family, should be in the boat with you, guiding you through your journey, dodging the rocks, having success with you and sometimes ending up the river with you, not just pointing out the destination and telling you how to get there.
Having the ability to "see around the bend" will have little use if you cannot rally those behind you.
I agree with Ken and Adam. Providing is an "action verb" and requires more than just knowing what to do or where the danger is lerking ahead. You have to do it.
ReplyDeleteI like Ken's analogy of steering and guiding. If we are steering, we are essentially following where someone else has blazed the trail. Guiding requires us to plan ahead, to see over the horizon and take a risk sometimes. When we are guidings someone it also requires, from them, that trust in your ability to lead in the correct path. That is earned, not given by right. Lead on.
Re: Kenny B
ReplyDeleteWord. A leader is someone who goes first, not someone who (a) just thinks about a better place or (b) just slaps a coat of paint on the old place so that it will look like the better place.
(Simple Church? That's subversive literature!)