Key Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.”
Can you imagine a college or professional sports team going into a game without a plan? You will likely make halftime adjustments, but without a game plan, you’re playing with fire. The saying comes to mind, “If you don’t care where you are going, any road will take you there!”” Throughout these monthly articles, I’ve described the journey, the path, the road to becoming a Christ-centered, mature man. We need to follow Jesus, our leader. We need to trust and rely on the Holy Spirit as our strength and shield. We never walk alone. We need other brothers with us on the trail. We must have the Scriptures as our trustworthy map. And we need a plan. His words are a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path.
As I mentioned previously, my family knows a professional golfer from our hometown. Gary is a multi-time winner on the Professional Golf Association Tour. Even though he is a worldwide top ten pro, Gary never rests on his laurels. In addition to regular meticulous practice, Gary employs several coaches. He uses Butch, Claude, and others to work on his golf swing. His stable of coaches constantly monitors the subtle movements and any noticeable changes in his swing. In addition to his regular golf swing, Gary also works with short-game coach Pete on his approach game around the greens. That’s not all! He also uses fellow professional Brad as a putting coach! These are his swing coaches. Gary also checks in with nutritionists, physical therapists, and positive mental attitude coaches. He would never go into a tournament without a solid game plan.
Many of us dream of making millions as professional athletes, homebuilders, or business experts. Still, we often avoid dedicating the time or hiring the right experts to guide us. Similarly, many of us aspire to become mature Christian men. We desire to have a top-notch marriage and a first-class walk with Jesus Christ. We long to become the men God wants us to be, living with love and integrity.
Nevertheless, how many of us are willing to spend the necessary time with mature Christian men, men who have already paid the “stupid tax” and are ready to pass along well-earned wisdom? Imagine if, like Gary with his golf career, you hired a marriage coach, a fathering expert, a workplace mentor, and a Christian maturity guide to help you reach the place you long to be. How much would you be willing to pay in dollars? How much time would you be willing to invest? How many disciplined, daily choices would we need to reevaluate? Perhaps most importantly, how willing are we to put our total trust in the Lord for the ongoing, refining work He is doing in our lives?
To craft your Game Plan, create a look-ahead by outlining a strategic plan you aim to accomplish within the next two to three years. What is your unique Christ-centered growth path? We understand that healthy, Christ-centered masculinity is a valuable achievement. We are not born as mature Christian men. This development is a long-term process theologians call sanctification. This change involves becoming increasingly aligned with God’s purpose of serving others, growing in grace, and learning more truth.
Few of us would hesitate to create a golf improvement plan to lower our scores. No one would think twice if a friend shared his new health and weight loss goals. Yet, we often recoil when asked to develop a plan for growing as a Christian man. I have marketplace friends who remind me: Never underestimate the need for clarity. During the development of your unique Game Plan, you need to clarify your goals.
Articulate your goals, write them down, and record them in a place where you can regularly see them. Make sure your goals are measurable; what gets measured gets accomplished. Allow others in your circle of friends to comment on your plans and goals as you work through them in a rough draft stage. Be open to new ideas and feedback. Proverbs 12:15 urges, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.”
After praying, listening to advice, and writing up your Game Plan, prepare to present your plan to a friend or mentor. Remember to be open to comments you may not expect. Proverbs 15:22 states, “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.”
The most effective way to reinforce your understanding of this material is to teach it to others. Remember this quote, which is a warning against living as an isolated, individualized Christian man: “No man is an island” – John Donne.
What disciplines, practices, and strategies would you put in your Christ-centered Game Plan for moving toward greater maturity? And remember, this is not about trying harder. This is about trusting more.
© Dr. Paul Pettit
www.dynamicdads.com
This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.
Dr. Paul Pettit
Dr. Paul Pettit serves as Director of Career Services at Dallas Theological Seminary and teaches in the departments of Spiritual Formation, Leadership, and Pastoral Ministries. Dr. Pettit is also the founder of Dynamic Dads. Dynamic Dads is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging fathers everywhere in their demanding yet highly rewarding role of leading their family.
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