I remember doing dumb things. The worst part is, at the time, they all seemed like great ideas! I don’t know if it’s true for most teenagers, but it seems that the majority of head-shaking ideas come from overly excited boys in the midst of development.
One of my all-time favorite memes is of two young boys taking turns hitting each other in the forehead with a garbage can lid. The caption says, “This is why girls live longer than boys.” I can’t speak to the overall truth of that statement, but I’ve grown up with plenty of young boys and can say that the sentiment rings true – boys can be really good at doing dumb things.
The trouble is, some of these humans – created in the image of God – can forget their destiny and get their wheels spinning, stuck in the muck of “teenage” behavior well into their adult years. We forget that God made each of us for a purpose.
Maybe that’s why self-help resources are on the rise in our society. It seems that today’s popular self-help or motivational messages are laughably simple. They say things like, “Brush your teeth,” “Make your bed,” or “Don’t be stupid!”
Maybe I should try my hand at this motivational speech thing! Alright, here we go: “WALK – just keep walking.” Is that simple enough to join the ranks of motivational speakers? Put one foot in front of the other and go somewhere.
As I did a little research to see if my theory had any credibility, I was amazed. If I didn’t know that I was reading about walking, I’d have thought it was describing some kind of miracle drug with benefits ranging from mood boosts and improved digestion to stronger bones, better balance, and weight loss.
When I was learning to fly, my instructor told me I had to keep my legs running all the way into the air. If you ever get a chance to watch a beginner take off, you’ll notice they keep pumping their legs in an awkward way, even as they lift off. It might look like the 10 feet of altitude is causing a major case of dork vibes, but there’s a reason for it – it protects the pilot in case of descent. While wheels are always ready to roll, legs are more likely to crumple, causing a spectacular faceplant. That’s why, if you were close enough to listen, you’d hear the instructor say in a Dory-esque kind of way: “Keep running! Just keep running, running, running!”
You’ve seen that bumper sticker: “Not all who wander are lost.” But what if, instead of wandering, we had a destination and walked with purpose? If your life was a walk, where would you end up? What’s the end result of the food you’re choosing?
(Side note: check out the benefits of raw milk – come get some and join the fun!)
What’s the end result of the choices you’re making or the thoughts you’re thinking?
One of the worst self-help quotes is “Follow your heart.” A life led solely by emotion leads to impulsivity, instability, and overall chaos. My feelings? They’re ever-changing and fleeting.
I recently met a legend. He was well-endowed in years and had a Gandalfian sort of personality, with stories from here to there. Once, he bought an ultralight aircraft in pieces, built it himself, and took it on a maiden voyage. Turns out, it was destined for the clouds, as it was assembled incorrectly and was unable to descend! Without some quick thinking, he might have finished out his remaining hours in the wild blue yonder. Instead, he unbuckled, climbed forward on his little craft just enough to tip the nose downward and made it back home. The steps we take are vital to our destination – and the path forward.
Because we’re struggling to learn from our elders, we now have college classes called “Adulting 101” just to teach life basics. That’s unfortunate. We have a wealth of knowledge and wisdom around us, left untapped and languishing.
The Bible says to walk in step with God. As the Designer, He knows the way. Just as the ultralight had to be assembled correctly to ascend and descend, we – made in the image of God – must follow His design.
Can I follow my feelings? No. Jesus said, “Deny yourself, follow Me.”
Trust your heart? No. Depend on God with all your heart. Don’t trust your feelings. Instead, in all things—walk with Him. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Don’t underestimate those who have gone before. Walk with legends. Seek out those with graying experience. Follow in their footsteps, like the instructor urging you, “Just keep walking, walking, walking!”
What’s the benefit? How about stories from here to there – about how to get a job, be married, be a parent, change a tire, save your money, do your taxes, and live for eternity.
Let’s roll. Hit the trail. Get moving.
(Alright, my self-help career is over.)
Meet your farmer – Jonathan Gerdes. He and his wife run a farm-to-table raw milk dairy and farm airbnb in Caledonia, Minn. If he isn’t in the barn, you can find him dating his wife, playing with his kids, leading youth group, or flying in the sky. Visit gerdesfreshfarm.com for more info.
Easy Chocolate Shell
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
⅔ cup coconut oil
Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl; heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, mixing well each time, until mixture is smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. It takes about 1 minute of stirring until they fully mix together. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
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