The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Achievements, Accolades, and Lies

The other day I read a quote that woke me up from an intellectual slumber. I offer that same quote.

“I always sought to win whatever the game was, and only now do I realize how much I have been played by the game.” James Hollis

Hollis’s story is a lot ours. After all, boys don’t dream of losing? They dream of winning and doing it decisively. It’s a deep longing in a masculine heart. The soldier wins the battle and gets the girl! The shooter drains a three-pointer to win the game at the last second. In a moment of victor’s bliss, the team heroically parades him around the court. Oh, the revelry!

All men were created to make a mark on the world, but not at the expense of our soul.

Jesus said as much, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36, NIV84

We set out to do, win, and achieve early in life, but then a common shift dawns a sadness and resignation because all that doing, winning, and achieving came at a cost. When work becomes our great battle, it can leave us with great disappointment, and the heart atrophies from neglect. The restless agency of youth can become resentful anger with age. Even now, it brings a pit to my stomach.

Work-life needs boundaries.

The great battle you are in training for is one of the heart.

Here are a few questions to consider about our work:

• Is the price worth it?
• Is this pace sustainable?
• Is this connected to my goals?
• Is my personal life adversely impacted?

Work is good, but it is not ultimate.

God is good, and He is ultimate.

Your heart is good. Fight for it.