Dear Men,
Almost two decades ago, I gave up about 6 months of my life to earn some titles and macho bragging rights that I assumed (hoped, actually) would define me for the rest of my life. Guys tend to do that: look for strength and meaning in titles, trophies, and tabs. To say that this pursuit dominated my existence would be an understatement.
Still now, they’re cool I guess. But, the coolness drastically diminishes as I move from one phase of life to the next.
Caught up in the here-and-now, I never considered how quickly those things would become the then-and-there. So, now what? Is that all there is to life: one endless string of here-and-nows that will eventually gather dust and leave us hoping everyone remembers our then-and-theres?
Maybe.
But, what if it isn’t? If this Man really was born in a manger and really did decide to die on a Tree, are we responding to That accordingly? Was the whole Point of his Friday afternoon green mile to give us one more badge, tab, title, or club to join? If so, great. Sign me up. I’ve got some time to kill before my next here-and-now.
Be sure to tell me how to wear the badge though: I don’t want to look silly.
If that wasn’t the Point, then what? What do we do with the titles we’ve worked so hard to earn? Where do I put my membership card? My nifty uniform?
If His Intent wasn’t to boost my ego, to give me something to do on Sunday, to keep me from cussing, or to tell me how I should vote in next year’s election, I’d prefer to know now. Up front. I’d really rather not invest my time in another here-and-now if something better is going to come along. Besides, I already know who I’m voting for.
But, if my previous life’s cocky pursuit of bragging rights left me with anything of real value, it’s the realization that I am capable of being radical when I really want to. So are most other men I know.
So, if His Intent was to give me one last Pursuit, then He’s got my attention. But, it better be a good one. I can handle one more here-and-now, but not another then-and-there. This is it. Present me with an all-or-nothing scenario.
I’ve got time for a Pursuit that retrieves my long-lost inner radical. I’ve always preferred being surrounded by a bunch of insurgents anyway.
-bill