Push Through

Brothers are a blessing.

There is the blessing of biological brothers and there is the blessing of brothers cultivated through deep and meaningful relationship. It’s a blessing to be around brothers and be with brothers as a brother. It’s a challenge as well as some men prefer to have a relationship based on function rather than depth and are not comfortable with things like vulnerability and confessing insecurity and bouts of inadequacy.

So thank God for brothers born for adversity who provide that mattress to fall onto whenever things get tough on life’s tightrope.

Recently in a conversation with some brothers a comment was made that was inspiring. Inspiring in how profound and how simple it was. The comment stated that sometimes when there’s an opportunity to do the right thing, it’s often in conflict with certain other things that can be done which in themselves appear to be good. Such is the reluctance and such is the struggle at times, that it takes an effort to push through and do that right thing. Yet time after time, when that push is made and the right thing is done, there is a distinct sense of peace and reassurance. In a lot of cases there is that sense of being better for the experience of doing the right thing.

That statement also came with the question of why it feels so hard to do it at the time? What’s going on that brings about those challenges? Whatever it is, there is still a sense in which things are better when you push through.

We don’t always push through, though. Sometimes we rationalise our way out of it. Often we go for one of the other things which in themselves appear to be good. We know, however, especially in retrospect that it’s not great missing out on that right thing. It’s a pity when we see that often we choose the enemy of the right when we go for a good.

The beauty of grace and life is that there are other opportunities to pursue what’s right. Pursue what’s right when it comes to relationships. Pursue what’s right when it comes to stewardship responsibilities. Pursue what’s right in social engagements. Pursue what’s right in the community. In those pursuits we are surrounded by others on similar pursuits. We can learn from each other. We can learn from those who have gone before. We can learn from the wisdom passed down through the ages.

When it comes to the right thing to do, it’s right to push through.

(Photo by Nadine Shaabana on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden