The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Being Who You Might Have Been

My misspent teen years were fun, dangerous, and careless. We often joke that it is by God’s grace that we didn’t end up dead or in jail. To make matters worse, I didn’t grow up with a parent inspiring hopes and dreams. I was encouraged to work, and I was given the underlying narrative that you must do for yourself because no one will do it for you. This caused a cynicism and hopeless belief in myself and the future. It was dim. My view of life was limited to an arm’s length.

As many men do, I tried to fix it by joining the military. I was running away from something, and I thought I was running toward something. Funny how that happens. I wanted to spread my wings and fly (cue Learning to Fly by the Foo Fighters). But Houston, I had a problem! My only plan was leaving, and that wasn’t much of a plan. Anyone can leave. Wherever you go, there you are.

I was a newly married sailor that was destined for several months at sea. The lonely horizon of the Atlantic Ocean cast a long shadow onto me as a man, and I lacked vision and purpose. A wise man once said, “Where there is no vision, people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). I was perishing, and I could feel it in my bones. But God.

But God…

… saved my soul.

… allowed me to become a dad.

… shared his purpose for my life.

… gave me friends who had a vision.

… showed up at just the right time.

… strengthened me to ‘chase the wind.’

… brought healing to the pain of my youth.

… taught me to read the bible and talk to Him like a son.

Let me give you a word of encouragement.

“It’s not too late to be who you might have been.”

Have you had a “But God” moment?