The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Moments Alone

The cold, damp air swept over the ridge of the canyon as I hunkered down for shelter. The sound of the wind howled through the mountain range. The grey sky towered over me, and the sparse mountain floor lingered beneath my feet. I was less interested in miles on the trail and more interested in what I could find along the way. Solace and a clear mind were my quarries. Life’s pace had taken a toll, and these days alone in the wild were an attempt to find what I had lost. I had become a counterfeit of myself; neglect and other people’s agendas had given me a mask. The counterfeit mask fit for a while as it does from time to time. The mask slowly became more than I could handle when it obstructed my hope and future. Other people’s agendas had trampled my own; to make matters worse, it was my fault. I cannot hold other people to a boundary that I never established. I didn’t know what to do but knew where to go… into the wild.

I wrestled with God, and I toiled within myself. A flurry of thoughts came crashing down on me as dread boiled up beneath me. I had become comfortable with misery. Who does that? Me. I felt like an idiot, a fraud; frankly, I was a lousy version of the man I wanted to be. Minutes felt like hours. I attempted to take thoughts captive, but it was like trying to catch rain during a monsoon. As the clock ticked, my understanding grew ever so slightly. For men like me, silence awakens the Spirit. Alas, the Spirit began to pierce through the rubbish and unmasked my ignorance with loving truth. I used incessant busyness to stave off the fear of being alone.

You may have to get alone to discover that you are never alone.

Do something.

Dare greatly.

Be a better man.

SUBSCRIBE | LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

30-Day men’s devotional, small group and bible study video courses, action plans for goal setting & more! Check out our FREE RESOURCES and find the tool you need to help you become the man you want to be!