How Do I Become The Man God Wants Me To Be?
"Provider"
In my last blog I used Jerry Boykin’s (Strong & Courageous) definition of what God wants a man to be–
- Provider
- Instructor
- Defender
- Battle Buddy
- Chaplain
This month let’s look at provider.
WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF A PROVIDER?
A provider–
- Gives direction to his family. He bases his direction on God’s word. He uses God’s instruction to Joshua (Joshua 1:8.9) as a roadmap.
- Is the primary breadwinner in his family and knows work is the basis for providing food, clothing and shelter (1 Timothy 5:8).
- In generous in helping others outside his family (2 Corinthians 8,9).
SO, HOW DO I BECOME A PROVIDER?
Use your teen years to prepare, while learning and having fun!
Here are some steps you can take:
Work—
When I was 12 my dad took me aside. He said he thought I could qualify for a top-quality university in 6 years, but he and mom couldn’t afford to send me. He said I’d have to work part-time to earn my college tuition.
Dad introduced me to Ray Hill, a former student, now running the local news agency. Ray assigned me a newspaper route near my home. For 5 years it was 7 days a week to deliver papers and collect payments. I learned sales, customer service, profit and loss, and diligence in collecting.
Much later, I wondered if Dad simply created all this as a way to keep me off the streets as a teen (Dad was very shrewd). If so, it worked. Most of all it created a work ethnic which has been one of my strengths.
Your teen years not only give you time to build a good work ethic, they give you opportunity to learn–
- About each place you work–what they do, how they treat people, why they are successful.
- About opportunities the world offers–different industries, jobs environments.
- New skills–working with your hands, your minds.
Being a provider is not just a responsibility–a duty–or a burden. I’m assuming what you do (work) should be something you love doing. You want to be passionate about your work. It should have purpose you can explain and support–and give you joy each day!
To find the job fitting this definition: have as many work experiences as you can and learn from each one.
Role models-
Watching men you consider good providers is a strong step toward becoming one yourself.
I grew up in a small middle–class neighborhood in the industrial city of Hammond, IN. It was a time when jobs were plentiful in the mills. Every family on our two-block street had a dad and every dad had a job. We kids didn’t think too much about dad’s role as a provider. It’s just the way it was.
My dad graduated from high school in 1930 at age 15. It took him 7 years to get through college–working, saving, a year of college, then repeat. Finding a teaching job during the Depression was extremely difficult. By the time the Depression ended, Dad and Mom wanted security and stability. Those two traits dominated our lives.
As a teen I was often resentful Dad didn’t take a job in industry. He could have easily done so, and it would have provided more things for the family. He turned down every opportunity for change.
But the guidance, direction, and sense of integrity he gave us was priceless.
There are other role models to follow–coaches, teachers, neighborhood dads. See how they guide their families, what decisions they make about their families’ needs. See how their sons learn.
Service–
As a teen it’s easy to be a volunteer helping with church or charity programs It will build a sense of helping others–extending your role of provider outside the home.
Go on a mission trip. See other part of the world. Talk about your faith as you go.
All these steps work toward your becoming the provider God wants you to be.
BASECAMP USA–
At BaseCamp USA we teach skills to build a strong men. We challenge men to grow their confidence through outdoor activities such as climbing, adventure races, hunting and rappelling. We press our young men to think about their lives as we sit at the campfire.
All of which helps build them into the providers God wants them to be.
WHAT’S NEXT?
We’ll continue to look at aspects of “How Do I Become the Man God wants Me to Be?” And we’ll look at important areas of decisions teens must make–education and career.
In the meantime come visit us at BaseCamps USA at our home in Mineral Point, WI!
Submitted by: Jim Kackley
