Man 2 Man Bible study- D.M. Escalante, escalanteministries.com

My body is sore. I was working this week, like physically working. If we haven’t met before, I work at a construction company doing ground utility work. I am a Safety Guy by profession, which means I help the company employees do their tasks safely so they can come home the same way, if not better than the way they came in. I do more using my head and heart than actual muscles to get the job done.

But this week I was in the field doing the work. Oh man, buddy! I am so sore, even my eyelashes hurt. Yeah, I have been sitting on my butt doing paperwork and looking out for the team for so long I have forgotten what many call an “honest day’s work” looks like.

so this post, is what I have understood about using it or loose it.

Have you ever heard that phrase before? ” Use it or Lose it” I have heard it many times in my life growing up in Cali. it meant that you have to use what you have been given or lose the opportunity because of many variables.

For example, you earn days of vacation for every month you work. After you accrue the maximum number of days on your books. you must use or lose your vacation days.

I learned this when I was in the Navy and had accrued vacation days I was faced with the choice of either taking my vacation days or losing these days permanently without pay. During my short stint in the Navy, it was implied that we take leave during our transfer in and out of command because the command needed it. it was real Macho stuff or so I thought.

So this week Man 2 man, is just that Use it or lose it. I could bring out a scripture or two to engage with you, but you may know more about this than you think. besides I wouldn’t do a half-hearted job of throwing in bible verses like a philosophical soothsayer and cheapen the gospel to mere entertainment.

but God has given each of you a natural ability, no matter your advantage use what you have been given.

So how do you do that? here are 7 tips to help. this takes some work. Don’t roll your eyes and get upset, You’re a man, this is what you do.

1. Inventory. Use your journal or other media to create a list of skills or deeds that have helped others and they have specifically complimented your actions
2. Gather. Gather this information in one locatable area either physically or digitally as this becomes the launchpad for your journey as a man.
3. Note. write down what others have said about the actions you have done. this can be in your performance reviews or Friends and acquaintances (if you have any). What did they say? For example, for me, I was complemented by how hard I work and I’m good at encouraging. When I would do presentations ( back in the day) after my talks. I would receive lots of compliments. or when I did my landscaping business my customers acknowledged my intent, making them feel I was part of their team in making their house beautiful. They appreciated how our interactions were not based on money but on value( but that’s a different post).
4. Identify. Identify what is important to you or your mission. Every man has a mission (save that for another Post) and you are no different. Whether you believe in Jesus as I try to do or not, you have been designed for a mission in your lifetime. you were created by God which makes you special ( honestly I don’t have to know you to say that) God knows who you are and if you ever doubt for one second that you are misunderstood or unloved. read John 3:16-20 to remind you you’re more than a paycheck. your Gods man. Man to Man? That is amazing.
5. Take action. create a plan to develop your skills either one or a few and start doing it. “Get busy livin’ or get busy dying”- The Shawshank Redemption, 1986. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with this part. I can get so busy collecting information that I become a statue when it comes to taking action. even during this writing. the sun is coming up on this Saturday morning and I feel like I was fighting “Iron Mike” I am trying to communicate better. look at two qualities that you have and see if you can improve upon them. are there courses you can take to g3t develop your talent?
6. Evaluate. So how did it go? Did your golfing improve? were you on time to work this week? write down your findings in your journal. You can do this day by day or at the end when you have time. what makes this step work in your life is to manage your output based on what action you took.
7. Do over. I know this can be true for me when I do something once I believe I am proficient and stop. I SHOULD NOT DO THIS. This is how men become mediocre and can lose out on the win of building up who they are as a father, Son, and Husband Brother. You have to practice the skill you want to develop. You want to be a good dad and you blew it yesterday? Fine. Use this as a source to get after it. Listen, only ostriches put their heads on the ground. Men will not have that luxury. you’re a fighter. that is the skill that needs to grow with you.

if you noticed the steps spell IGNITED. it resonates with me for two reasons: one, this was the name of the youth ministry I had the honor of leading at the church I served at. Two, it should be a spark for you as a man. did you know that most wildfires in California can be attributed to a simple spark? from a lit cigarette thrown out of a window to lighting striking dry tinder. the result is life-altering.

I want that for you brother, I want you to reach your dreams and blaze a trail for the young men to look at. My kids need another example of how life is for a man. They could be looking at you.

So leave below in the comments on how you’re going to blaze a trail. What are your thoughts on this post want to see more? Don’t like it? let me know below.