These are some thoughts I scribbled down last Friday at 7am, while drinking my morning coffee. They spilled out, in this order, in a matter of minutes. A few things I’ve learned about myself, over a lifetime of observation and practice. A manifesto of sorts.
I have never coasted.
I believe a combination of reappearing restlessness, doses of personal discipline, and the continual need to create is why.
I have remained optimistic, whilst quietly working through any internal personal struggles or discomfort. I have always been restless, which has made me uncomfortable. Let me explain. Since I was young, I have believed that we “never arrive” in life (this intrinsically created a sense of restlessness). That life has always been about the journey, not the destination. I believe that God wants us to have a good journey, to travel well. This is the idea behind shalom, which very well may be the meaning and intention OF IT ALL. But back to the journey. The journey is about the scenery, and the scenery is beautiful. The journey is the reward, the gift. I have used this nagging restlessness as FUEL—to push, propel me forward, to help me create, to form and fashion the person I was to become. Over decades. The force of restlessness was strong in my twenties—it comes and goes—it has mellowed out a bit in my forties. But I learned to use it to my advantage.
Consistency has emerged as a result. Consistency is often overlooked (as a virtue), and rarely celebrated. Especially in church circles. It’s about the long game with me. This rings true.
I have adopted the philosophy of “Keep it small and keep it going.” This advice was given by Pete Seeger to Bob Dylan to John Mellencamp to me. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me. They’ve surely put this into practice, as proven by their lifelong example. Their longevity, their art, their life as a work of art. You must keep it going. You cannot stop, you cannot quit. An artist does not quit, ever. He/she is unable to, for they are COMPELLED to create.
I have found my lane. And that lane is exemplified by a “hand to the plow” mentality.
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” —Luke 9:62
The scriptures are full and rich with gardening & farming metaphor and imagery. I wonder why? Maybe it’s because our story starts in a garden. Hand to the plow. Stay focused. Stay intentional. The following are reaped benefits from adopting a “hand to the plow” mentality:
- It’s a SLOW WORK. You cannot speed or rush though plowing the ground! New, unplowed ground is rough, rocky, uneven, and tough. It requires, demands a slow speed. Playing the long game.
- You only have to worry about a small area, a designated field that is yours to plow. This should bring comfort and relief—you are only responsible for your land/plot, your acre. What will you do with it?
- You cannot look back, only forward when plowing.
- You can only be focused on your row, your lane, not anyone elses. If you start to look sideways, or at another person’s field, you will slowly drift off course, get distracted, get envious, lose direction or hope. Focus on your lane, your work, your life.
- You discover just how seasonal life is. You tend to notice and appreciate the fact that that beauty can be found in each season.
So what am I plowing then? According to this process, I am cultivating and curating a life. Hand to the plow—the soil of my life. My work, family, friendships, creativity and ministry! I want good, deep, rich soil. Keeping and showcasing things of truth, goodness, and beauty. Things of value, things worth reflecting and pondering on, things worth sharing. Throwing out the rocks, the weeds, the poison, the harmful elements. I am living an examined life.
I am indebted to those to came before me, those setting forth a shining example worth emulating. I call these the SPIRITUAL SHAPERS, and they are essential to my growth & development. Some call it your “inputs” these days. They have keep their place in my life, over a long period of time. They have sustained me. They are, in no particular order:
Larry Norman, Eugene Peterson, Mako Fujimura, Brennan Manning, Erwin McManus, William “Duce” Branch, Rick Amato, Tommy Lange, JVo, David McDonald, Jon Foreman, Rich Mullins, Glenn Kaiser, Bono, Dylan, Cash, the Brays, the Imagination.
My heart, my life goal, my intent will be always be marked by passion and humility. This is the standard I have set for myself, my highest value. In life, I want to be 100% passionate and 100% humble. I find this to be a unique combination and collision. A want to smash these two attributes together and see what happens. I am always drawn to people who are either passionate and humble. Or both.
Rules to live by, that I can wholeheartedly stand by and suggest to you:
- Be inspired (see the Divine Breath)
- Wring life (or life will wring you first)
- Keep on truckin’ (keep it small and keep it going)
- Accumulate wisdom! (immerse yourself in the Scriptures, good friends, good company, good conversation, good books)
If I have inspired anyone along the way, then I have succeeded.
