The Measure of a Man

In a relationship, the road before you has varying types of terrain. Jeff and I began our road together from a shallow valley and we ascended quickly to great heights and incredible views. Over the last 13 years, the terrain has changed frequently. Several times, we have just royally disliked the mud, or sand, or crushed rock on the road. We have never lost ground, the terrain just changed. A few times, we didn’t have the right shoes, we experienced slipping or sliding outside of the gospel of peace.

I believe many people experience terrain changes and they believe they have disconnected from each other or even “fallen out of love”. The measure of a man is the ability to navigate the terrain. Jeff and I have faced terrain that was shaded, cold and slick. It wasn’t fun to navigate and I met the ground over and over. That man that God made for me has built bridges over muddy messes, he has laid sod in desolation, has soaked the ground for the fun of it, he has picked up sticks and pulled weeds from our path.

The measure of a man is required when the terrain starts to get frustrating or unbearable. Sometimes when we are in the valley, we just need to touch the sunlight and catch the view of sunset. So, he builds a ladder and we see it. The only way this measure is possible is with God goggles. Jeff has eyes to see the terrain. You don’t use a rake to move the mud, you have to see the terrain so that when the need to change it arrives, the “how” is clear.

My favorite terrain shift came in the thick soupy mud. He laid logs and challenged me to walk on them as they rolled us into a forward momentum. Our road is fun, challenging, and full of silly memories that are more valuable to me than anything life could offer instead. The measure of a man is to see through the vision that only a surrendered life to God can bring.

The shift is easy with vision and provision. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15). We advance always, we never lose ground! The terrain shifts, that's all.