Last fall, BJ was looking for an outlet to express his 'manhood,' and work off some frustration. He asked me if he could chop down some trees with an axe. When I was his age, I wanted to do the same thing, but had no outlet, no place to do this. I was quick to put an axe in his hands, and point him towards a grouping of trees at camp that all had to come down.

He was uniquely motivated. There is something within a man that needs to express itself when you reach a certain age. I believe part of it is the desire to no longer be a teenager, but to truly make a difference. Simultaneously, his pent up frustration was going to be spilled out with each blow of his axe.

What developed was not surprising, but nonetheless interesting. He started on a big tree. He quickly found that he did not have the stamina or skill to bring down that giant. He asked for permission to move to a smaller tree without finishing the first. I granted his request. I continued about my day, and would check on him from time to time. Pretty soon, there were trees that bore the scars of his visit, but all still stood. Each was seemingly an advertisement for his failure.

I'll never forget when a co-worker later asked me what happened to that stand of trees. I told him, "BJ happened to them."

Eventually, BJ asked me if there wasn't a small tree somewhere that he could cut down. I took him to a different area, and he quickly had success. His posture stiffened to a most erect pose as he had finally filled that need within. That was the last time he carried an axe.

I'm afraid I am often that way in my spiritual life. Carrying a genuine desire to make a difference, but lacking the patience to hone my skill, and leaving scars as I go. Finally, I defeat a small foe, then drop my weapon. Having tasted victory, I am finished, just when I am finally ready to begin.

Oh body of Christ, how we need to develop our skill, and let our Jesus use it. So much can be accomplished from the way He has gifted us, if we will but let Him teach us.

Fortunately, Beej did not use a spiritual axe in his encounters. The precision he developed was God-breathed, and fruitful. Let us go and do likewise.

dad