The Spiritual Man's Obstacle CourseSample

1. The Course is Set (part 1)

Man on a Mission

“Masculinity is synonymous with Christlikeness” – Ed Cole

Most men struggle to find their way in life. As men, we often lack the conviction and sense of purpose we admire in those we see as our heroes. Superman stands for truth and justice, while William Wallace fought for the freedom of his countrymen. There are likely many more heroes in our books, like these, albeit in different contexts. But how about you?

Society is falling apart because men are only entertained by heroics and no longer inspired by it. However, we were created by God to step up to the plate. We were created to be His image bearers to the broken world around us. In fact, like a soldier on a mission, or an athlete on a track, God has set a course for each of us! Yet, our course is not a smooth track with no obstacles in front of us. Ours is an obstacle course with loads of traps to traverse, distractions to discard, and barriers to breach.

So how do we get started, or even regain traction, for the course set before us?

The Way, The Truth The Life

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
– John 14:6

Where’s the Way?

Jesus made one of the most exclusive, yet inviting, statements in the history of man. Saying, "I am the Way… No one can come to the Father except through me," He explicitly stated that there’s no other way. Not all roads lead to heaven, but Jesus does. Not every teaching will lead to spiritual enlightenment, but Jesus does.

And in the same breath, this is one of the greatest invitations ever! Since the fall of mankind in Genesis 3, man had struggled through darkness for centuries. Man had struggled over millennia to get back to the same relation, the same access, the same standing, which was intended with God at creation. And now, Jesus says, “Hey, I’ll restore this to you; just start with Me!”

And that’s just that. Jesus set up our starting blocks, and He also draws our finish line. His work on the cross was perfect and complete. That’s why he could say, "It is finished" (John 19:30). But his work in us, with us, and through us is still ongoing. That’s why Ephesianstells us that we were saved by grace alone, not our own efforts, but that it was for the preparation and achievement of good work to be done by us (2:8-10).

So, step up to your starting block! His name is Jesus. And let Him set you off for the course, the adventure, and the mission your life was set up for!

Read Ephesians 2:1-10 and reflect on the following:

• What’s your observation(s) from this reading?
• What’s your understanding of being made alive with Christ?
• What’s your biggest obstacle to applying these things in your own life?
• What should you pray about after today’s reading?