From: Disciple Kickstand
Setman 43 Roughneck Crew
Read Ecclesiastes 4:8-10
Breaks my heart to see people losing sight of the mission. I've noticed that when I hear or see individuals express disillusionment with the club and it's purpose, it's because that individual "can't see the forest for the tree in front of them". The current problems or feelings about the club get in the way of seeing what God is actually doing on the whole thought the Black and Gray Nation, which is bigger than any one charter or clique of men.
Peaks and Valleys. This is the natural rhythm of life, for individuals, for charters, for leaders. The effectiveness of our ministry and tightness of brotherhood will ebb and flow. Every charter, heck even national leadership, goes through these periods of peaks and valleys.
And during these rhythms I have seen men and women's perceptions of the club ebb and flow with it. When everything is clicking and people are being reached, all is well with the brothers, times are good... the view of the club is sunshine and rainbows. Then we hit a valley where struggle and attack, and difficulties lie... and then the club has lost its way, the brotherhood isn't right anymore, the leaders are false prophets, etc.
But we are not called to let our hearts and attitudes be tossed around like a small boat in the storm! We are called to remain steadfast (1 Cor 15:58). When ever Jesus was in a boat with the disciples and the waters were dangerous and frightening, he rebuked them for freaking out and not seeing the bigger picture. They were with the Messiah, no matter how bad or rocky things got in that boat his mission was going to be fulfilled at the cross, not cut short by capsize. We need that! We need to see that whatever storm were facing it is not big enough to derail the mission that God ordained.
Get some perspective and fear not. While things might be rough in one local charter, things are thriving and on point in another.
The club is never just "on" or "off" in regards to its mission. It's constantly growing and shrinking, thriving and struggling, under God's rebuke and blessing, all at the same time. The charter that's a desert today will be the shining example of growth and vibrancy tomorrow and potentially vice versa... but its all gradually moving forward and gaining ground as an entity.
It's a big concept to grasp, but people in the club need to be taught that. I know personally for me, that concept pulled me through a desert time, and disillusionment with the purpose of DCMC.
How did I see past my own charter's valley enough to realise that the club was not only experiencing success as I was seeing the brotherhood around me crumble and the mission slip?
The answer is with deep ties to men in other charters both near and far. Seeing and hearing the wonderful breakthroughs the organization was having in Newfoundland for example, showed me that the mission and heart of DCMC was not lost. The club was as strong as ever and if we in my charter remained steadfast in our position, diligently walked through our valley, we would rise out of it... and we are.
I challenge you all, when times are good, to establish relationship with the men of the club from coast to coast. Prepare yourself and your charter for the inevitable valley by building the bonds of brotherhood abroad and not just in your charter now... and when your valley comes you will have those men to lend you that perspective, that snapshot of the club outside your circumstance and see that the mission and vision not only remain, but are actually as strong and effective as ever.
This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Ecclesiastes 4:8-10 NLT
Disciple Kickstand
Setman 43 Roughneck Crew
Canada First Few
GOD IS GREAT 888!!!
