Living on the Front Foot
Living on the Front Foot!
Recently Joe Frazier died. He was the world heavyweight boxing champ in the early 70’s, best known for some amazing fights with Mohammed Ali. Joe Frazier was an underweight, under-talented heavyweight, but he won the heavyweight boxing title and held on to it for more than three years. Besides a powerful left hook, he also stepped into the fight continually pressing forward. He knew if he fought defensively and put his weight on his back foot instead of his front foot, he would not stand a chance. He built his highly successful career on the front foot. If fighting defensively had defined Joe Frazier’s career, he would never have had a career.
I think that for a lot of reasons many men are dealing with issues, struggling with battles and living their lives on the “back foot” — pursuing careers, handling family issues and walking through life feeling defeated and helpless, unsure of their roles, and some on the verge of raising the white flag in too many places in their lives. Some might have already done this. Some are thinking about it. Sometimes no one knows this might be happening.
- In the work place, there are continual contradictions between Christian values that are important to most of us and the seeming reality of that same work place.
- For some, home life has become less than a place of peace and calm and is out of control, meaning that often, as husbands and fathers and friends, we simply react to situations and demands rather than lead and build. This is a sign of weariness and uncertainty.
- As this goes on, we end up with what we really didn’t want and question our own reality, sometimes blaming the church and even God for how we feel and the circumstances and situations we find ourselves having to deal with.
- The stresses and strains of a life out of control lead to abuse of pornography, chemicals including alcohol, gambling, cheating, becoming obsessed with mindless hobbies and behaviors that many times transcend the basic values of the Christian faith, and even the values men know and hold dear.
- “Back-foot” living has left many men helpless and powerless.
Pastor Gordon McDonald, in the book The Resilient Life, speaks about some of the pressures in his own life that go back to his experiences as a young man running track. He said, “I learned I have a quitter’s gene,” a gene many in his family had, one where giving up and running away was easier than running to win. He wrote that he had to learn to overcome this tendency.
I think because of the contradictory messages our society gives concerning the role men should play in family, workplace and life in general, men find themselves confused and living reactionary, defensive lives. My prayer is that we experience a season where this changes and a movement to live lives of courageous faith begins.
- Reactions define too many men.
- Weariness defines too many men.
- Defensiveness defines too many men.
- A sense of powerlessness defines too many men.
- Habits define too many men.
- Addictions define too many men.
- Helplessness defines too many men.
- A sense of despair and hopelessness defines too many men.
But it doesn’t begin with just attempting to deal with life, leadership and making decisions in a front-foot way alone. It begins in accepting the salvation God offers in Jesus Christ.
“The free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
In other words, life must be built on the rock; this is receiving Jesus Christ as savior, making a decision to follow him and then building a life upon his amazing grace and living in a biblical way. It is fostering this relationship and realizing we are not enough; we were not designed to be enough; we must walk with God. It is recognizing we need others; they need us in this journey if it is to be successful. We were designed to live in relationship with God and to love God and others like we love ourselves (Luke 10:27).
Front-foot living is accepting and choosing fundamental values.
We prioritize for our values; we live for our values; we sacrifice for our values. What we value is who we are. The Bible is God’s book. Jesus is God’s Son. Faith, family, friendships, love God and others, serving, leading, influencing our world as salt and light — this is the life of a Christian man, life experienced by the front-foot philosophy Jesus taught and exampled.
“Seek ye first the kingdomof Godand his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
“I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
“He who pursues righteousness and love, finds life, prosperity and honor.” (Proverbs 21:21)
Men are designed by God to make an impact — to lead, to love, to give, to sacrifice, to fight for Jesus, for theKingdomofGod, for their friends and family, for the good, the right, the godly, to leave something on earth that makes it better and to lay up treasures in heaven that makes heaven real.
We are looking for an every-man movement.
We are looking for an every-man movement, one that includes involvement in programs, Bible studies, worship, connecting with other Christian men, and most importantly, living out the Christian-impact life in every venue men find themselves — home, workplace, schools, community, church — in other words, a lifestyle that honors God, holiness is chosen and a difference is made.
The Front-Foot Men’s Community includes a Men’s Kit. The kit allows us to stay focused, as well as offering a gentle, but clear, way to invite other men to join this movement. Our goal is to involve and invite every man in our church and outside to join this life — where the Christian man sets the agenda and not the culture, where God is the one honored and lived for, where Christian values guide our choices and love for God and others define the heart of men.
Some Bible under girding
Can I catch what I am chasing?
When I was in college, I worked at aNationalCemetery. We buried veterans and active military and took care of the cemetery. It was an honor. I mowed grass, straightened and set headstones and helped with funerals. I remember one funeral particularly well, a husband and wife who died together in a terrifically tragic way. They retired from their jobs at the same time and lived in their dream cabin, a place they looked forward to for some time. Their idea of the “end of life” was relaxing, hiding from the world and drinking. In a short time, they had both drank themselves to death. They had created what the culture said was the good life — success, money, retirement and enjoying life. But somehow, their existence had become so meaningless, empty and void that a senseless death had become their choice, a choice made by an abdication of what makes life really worthwhile. Their illusion of what was good had become a delusion that destroyed them both.
- Many people spend a lifetime chasing something, something illusive that is always somehow just out of reach — peace. The culture makes many promises about what this is and the rewards someone will get if they ever catch what our world says the good life really is. This most often leads to disillusionment and quitting. Life is somehow just around the corner, across the street or achieving the next goal.
- Jesus makes a very counterculture claim, an offering and a promise. He made it clear that the Roman way of life of his time could not satisfy life and soul, and he makes it equally clear that the religious legalism of the Pharisees and Sadducees could not provide either. He likens their way to words in John that this thief comes to steal and kill, while he had come to give life and give it abundantly.
Jesus teaches in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” The Lord also affirms this promise by invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come unto me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Is our culture correct when it gives a message that we can discover the full life, the good life, what we are looking for by electing the right president, finding the right person, buying the right stuff, getting the right job, accomplishing the right goals, even finding the right church?
Just what makes life worth living?
Finding the value, the purpose, the important in a world that continually preaches one of the greatest cons the Devil has used, the same con Lucifer tried with Jesus in the Temptation in the Wilderness, one he took three shots at Jesus with and Jesus responded each time with quoting the scripture and staying focused on who he was and what his purpose was — the simple con the Devil continues to use to attempt to get us to believe something is nothing and nothing is something.
Is more always the answer? Is it ever the answer? This idea that we have to get something we don’t have, get more of what we do have or trade what we have for something else we wish we had . . .
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life!”
It is always about a relationship with God and how that is reflected in our lives, our relationships, our goals and how we choose to lifve.
- Does my life reflect what really matters, what I really value and what I really believe? Is my faith in Christ and commitment to biblical values the guide for me in my life today and in life to come?
Blaise Pascal, a scientist turned theologian from the 16th Century, said it like this, “There are only two kinds of people in the world — seekers and non-seekers. Either we are pilgrims looking for answers in order to make sense of our world, or we are wanderers who have turned off onto byways of distraction or despair, alienating ourselves from wonder.”
The course of life is wonder, wonder in God, in families and friendships, in relationships. For everything that really matters in life will come from a relationship; and the first relationship that informs the rest is a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Only God can satisfy the soul!
This truth, discovered and prioritized, paves the way for the rest of life, when so many look for answers in distractions or even destructive behaviors, sometimes neglecting that which matters the most because there is a sense of emptiness or aimlessness that can only be found in God. The truth is often missed, that only God is the answer, and this answer informs the rest of life.
Significance can only be found in loving God. Men look for motivation for living; just existing is not enough for us. So some look for excitement, some pleasure, some achievement, others camouflage their need with alcohol, hobbies or other addictions. The motivation for living that Jesus taught — the same motivation that carried him through the ups and downs of life, through the final moments where he gave his life for the world — was his love for God and his love for others. He taught and lived this truth. This is because he treasured the love God had for him more than anything else, something Jesus called “the pearl of great price!”
“Love God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. (This is often called the greatest commandment and one in the Old Testament, in the teaching of Jesus and repeated in the Epistles, the truth of the real Christ follower, a truth where love for God motivates and empowers decision, choices, the direction of life itself.)
Only in following Jesus Christ can we discover and experience what matters.
We are not made to live apart from a relationship with God. Without this focus in place, life becomes the proverbial “taking one step forward and two steps back.” Yet, because of our sinful nature — all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans) — God can seem far away or simply above our ability to know. God has given us an answer, a solution called the Gospel or “Good News.” After we consider this, the truth of Jesus Christ, what should our attitude and purpose be?
First, if you are not sure that you have personally accepted the gift of God’s forgiveness and salvation offered through Jesus Christ and his loving sacrifice on the cross for you, then you should do so right now. If Jesus is who he said he was, who millions of Christians all over the world believe and live for, then a decision needs to be made to accept or reject the lordship of Jesus Christ. You may not understand everything about God’s initiative to us in giving us this amazing Savior, or you may think you are not quite good enough yet. Don’t let these feelings stop you. The Bible teaches that we live by faith; this is about faith. The Bible teaches this, “the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Ephesians) “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.” (Acts) If you believe in your heart, then you shall be saved. It is our task to accept and believe; it is God’s promise to receive and save.
Jesus gave this invitation in a simple and clear way, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him, and will have fellowship with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
Confess that you are a sinner, admit you need Jesus Christ, accept the gift of salvation that God desires to give and give your life and heart to God in Jesus’ name. Now begin to live a life of obedience and faith. Life changes, from my will to God’s will, my purpose to the purpose of the Christ I have accepted and now choose to follow. Everything changes.
- Confess your sin;
- Admit your need of Jesus Christ;
- Accept the gift of salvation;
- Begin to live in relationship with God.
“Seek ye first the kingdomof Godand his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel)
If eternal life is a gift of God, then the abundant life that Jesus offers is something we live.
Again, “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” (Jesus in John’s Gospel)
I think people often get this wrong, thinking that somehow God is going to simply give us an abundant, wonderful, joyful life full of peace and blessings. God does give grace, forgiveness, salvation and eternal life, but the abundant (a lot of) life is one we are now given the ability to live, a life based on love of God and others, choices that lead to holy living, priorities defined by what is important and what really matters, treasures of faith in this life and treasures we lay up in heaven, all fueled by the presence of the Holy Spirit and the directions given by the Bible.
The abundant life is about trusting Christ, what he does in our lives and how he teaches us to live, both as example and in biblical teachings. The abundant life is something we do, something we live, as our present is defined by our faith in Christ and our future unfolds by the faith decisions we make today. In other words, God now gives us the ability to build our lives upon a new foundation, a foundation that is Christ — “I am the way, the truth and the life” — and a new principle. Jesus knows what he is talking about, and we should both accept his salvation and listen to him. Sometimes men accept Jesus but don’t listen to him. If life is about the relationship, which I believe it is, then listening and obeying is not negotiable for men who want to live on the front foot.
The good life cannot be found in seeking happiness or what I think will please me, but only in seeking God.
“The Give Away” and “The Don’t Give Up” Life
If we believe that Jesus was who he said he was and knew what he was talking about, if we have made the decision to accept and follow him, then what might life look like?
- Men want to do great things!
- Men want to be a part of something bigger than they are!
- Men want to make a difference!
- God expects men to impact and influence the world beginning with those closest to us.
Self-control is a necessary part of self-respect; self- respect is a necessary part of the “Good Life.” God is a necessary part of self-control.
Proverbs 21:21 is the key verse for the Front-Foot Men’s Community:
“He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor!”
This is the key verse and direction for the Front-Foot Men’s Community, the intentional direction for Christian men to live on the front foot as we serve God through our families, church and in the world — to stay off the back foot of defensive, apathetic living which is common to men in our culture today and to get on the front of influencing church, family and community in positive, God Is Big Enough ways.
It begins with the pursuit or righteousness.
Jesus said in Matthew chapter 5, “they who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.” It is impossible to experience the fullness of God’s life without choosing righteousness, holiness and goodness as a way of life. Self-control produces self-respect, and self-respect based on God’s amazing grace influences how we see ourselves, God and the world we live in. What are the lines we refuse to cross and what are the values we will not sacrifice must be decided.
It continues with the pursuit of love.
Included in the meaning of this word are loyalty, faithfulness and self-sacrifice for the God we believe in and the people we love. We learn to live in what is bigger than us. Love is a deep, broad word best understood in the sacrifice of Christ. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Scarcely would someone die for a righteousness man, yet God demonstrates his love toward us, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is the way a Christian man chooses to live.
The proverb tells us that those who pursue righteousness and love will find life, prosperity and honor.
Jesus spoke of the abundant life. Sometimes we might think this is a life that God gives us instead of a life in partnership with the Holy Spirit. This is the life that God gives us, but it must be lived. If we choose righteousness and love, then life, prosperity and honor will follow. We want prosperity — a life defined by success in the things that matter the most — this is the motivation God has given men who choose Christ. And “honor,” without honor, life is of little value at all. Honor is a Christian virtue, just as love and faith are. God give us the grace to experience this life that will make the difference God has called us to make.
Culture and philosophy of Front-Foot Men’s Community
Our goal is to create a men’s community where men support one another in a holistic lifestyle, where Christian faith consumes every part of life — personally, relationally, family, workplace, hobbies, ministry, church and purpose — recognizing that men are not designed to do this alone, but to do so in community, supporting and praying for one another around a common goal as serious followers of Jesus Christ.
Men have a tendency to live on the defensive instead of the forefront of life, which is not how God designed men to live. Men are designed to defend their families, live for their faith, build a better world and life, influence and make a difference. We want to take the gifts that God wires into men and employ them for good and for God. This is faith thinking, believing, understanding and behaving. It is the “why” that motivates creating a new future by the choices we make today.