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The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Keeping in Step with Top Gun: Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick is all the rage right now. In recent memory, I can’t remember a sequel having such a draw in the theater, but I am just a casual moviegoer anyway. However, the first Top Gun impacted me significantly. As I teetered on which branch of service to give four years, that movie tipped me toward the Navy and working on the flight deck. I miss the rush of jets catapulting off the deck and the smell of expended jet fuel. But that could be the fumes talking. Before all the drama and danger on the flight deck, my military experience began at Naval Recruit Command Great Lakes (AKA Great Mistakes).

Great Lakes is the recruiting command where young bucks like me go to boot camp before the sea. Well known for its reputation of being a less than “pleasurable experience,” boot camp is where hopes go to die. Boot camp is famous for several things, but in my mind, it infamously means marching in formation. When you hear formation, think of lines. Marching in lines.

We marched in formation every place we went. Going to eat? Formation. Go to the firehouse. Formation. Going to the gas chamber. Formation. Marching in formation requires you to walk in step with the person to the right, left, front, and back. I was not too fond of this.

The formation began with the tallest in the front and the shortest in the back. Easy enough. Unless you are trying to follow guys who are 6’4″ and your growth potential gave up in 8th grade. I couldn’t get the hang of it, and the scuffs on the dudes’ boots in front of me gave proof. Walking in step with others means someone else sets the direction and determines the pace. Physically, this can challenge the fittest of men, and spiritually, this can challenge the most eager men. Paul, the author of several New Testament writings, said this of the struggle with belief and behavior as followers of Christ.

 

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” // Galatians 5:16-17, NIV84

 

Keeping in step with the Spirit means surrendering your will and way for God’s use.

 

A good prayer tool is simply praying this: God, please make your will my will and make your way desirable for me.

 

Keep in step with the Spirit.

You’ll be glad you did.

(Sorry if I stepped on your toes.)

 

Be a mentor

Find a mentor.

Be a better man.

 

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