What’s leadership?
Inviting you into exploring this question today…share your feedback on what you think!
#leadership
about
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Cold weather is a great time for reading. I’ve been intrigued by what I have been reading lately and want to share what has stuck out to me, especially as it relates to men and men’s growth. From digesting some solid reading content, I have begun to understand that these attributes flow out of a man who is offering his whole self–his mind, body, spirit, and soul, and every action that comes from those–as an act of worship to something greater than himself. This man is humbled in gratitude for what he has been given, and his life shows it.
- He doesn’t inflate his ego
- He is honest and real in his self evaluation
- He uses his gifts gladly and well
- He loves others
- He hates wrong
- He holds on to what is good
- He enjoys honoring others
- He works hard and serves
- He celebrates with confident hope
- He is patient in trouble
- He helps those in need
- He practices hospitality with eagerness
- He truly wants blessings and good for those who harm him
- He is happy
- He weeps
- He enjoys “ordinary” people
- He doesn’t think he knows it all
- He never pays back wrong with wrong
- He does all things honorably
- He lives in peace as much as he can with everyone
- He does good, even to those who hate him
- He submits to authorities and leadership
- He pays his taxes and owes nothing
- He accepts others, especially those who are weaker than himself
- He doesn’t condemn people
- He helps others do what is right and builds them up
- He lives rightly
- He doesn’t have a hidden life
- He keeps praying!
Would you have anything to add?
Notes: this isn’t a checklist for life. And from what I have seen and understood, these qualities are not self-produced.
Moving Forward
→What are you living for?
→What are you surrendering yourself to?
→From those, what is flowing out in your life?
Questions or comments? gerberxc@gmail.com
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A Letter for Healthcare Providers
Stories, I believe, are the most powerful way to connect with another person.
As patients’ lives and stories are brought to where you work, you have an opportunity to connect in a way that will bring lasting impact to their lives. You become the face of your organization when you enter into their lives—What are you going to write into their story?
Your time and presence during difficult circumstances in patients’ lives has the power to leave a permanent impact. Knowing this, you can realize the significance of each conversation you have going forward, even if it just lasts for a minute.
A Team Opportunity
Your organization’s collective team is like a body: it has hands, feet, a head, and many faces. Each part has a role in bringing the heart of who you are into that patient’s story. From the first click of a mouse opening the referral email, to the door opening into their home or hospital room, to the final discharge sign off, we–healthcare providers–are given the privilege to bring our presence and our love into each patient’s story. There is an opportunity to have an impact every time you step into a patient’s hospital room or pick up the phone to call them.
I believe there is a reason you are the one connecting with them. It is not a coincidence. You are there, with them, for a good reason. Choose to serve through compassion and love, and you will bring patients what they need in their encounters with you during their journey.
Lead with love, listen well, don’t be afraid of vulnerability, and look for your opportunity to connect and bring good to your patients today. Consider where parts of your own story might bring connection and relatability with them.
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Questions for Consideration:
- What is your individual role in their story?
- How can you best communicate their story and what holds value for them to the other clinicians and staff on the team serving them?
- What are some internal barriers that you face when connecting with your patients in the moments you have with them?
Put in Practice
- As a healthcare provider, ask, “what does my patient need the most, right now?”
- Moving forward, how can you be attentive to your presence in patients’ stories and connect most deeply with them?
- Look for an opportunity in your interaction to truly encourage and build them up–words matter!
I would encourage you to follow this path to serve well… →Listen. Ask. Listen. Act.
“True service is often an unselfish act that goes beyond a job or obligation, focusing on genuinely improving another person’s life, often requiring personal sacrifice.”
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Alex Gerber, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Charleston, SC
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Moving Forward aims to build up men and women; here we hope to build up divorced dads for stronger father-child relationships and families.
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For men, divorce is often filled with feelings of guilt and shame. For fathers, it may also come with a loss of time with children, which can feel crushing. In my divorce, I remember wondering if there was any hope for what I had lost.
I’ve heard about how important the amount of time fathers have with their children is. But what happens when that time is taken away through divorce? In a world where time with our children is already competing against other things in the busyness of life and work, where do divorced dads look for hope when faced with more loss of time with their kids?
Dads–I hope here to offer you a chance to shape your perspective and find opportunity for deeper relationships with your children, even in the aftermath of divorce. I believe that stronger connections and a hopeful future–even with less time–can become reality.
I have seen 3 necessary elements for the kind of soil needed to grow and deepen a divorced dad’s relationships with his children; they are…
- A changed perspective
- Living wisely
- A softened heart
Perspective Change
Shifting focus from loss to what can be gained can feel impossible in divorce. You might wonder, “How can I possibly look ahead hopefully, when my time is cut with my kids?” But, there is an opportunity for good and gain within those relationships. Understanding that the small things you are currently doing to build deeper relationships with your children can grow into large things in the future may motivate you to invest in what’s here and now.
This perspective shift doesn’t happen overnight; be patient, and look up ahead.
Living Wisely
In divorce, a man can find opportunity. An opportunity to examine his life and reflect on what really matters. There will be opportunities to build deeper relationships with your kids in whatever time arrangement you have. These opportunities may be less than before, so be wise and make them count. Be present and intentional with your children. Invest the time you do have wisely. I have seen redemption happen in these relationships and I believe the future harvest of your present efforts can be great.
Look for moments of opportunity–and keep a long-term perspective in mind; this will help when you don’t feel like things are moving ahead as you would like them to.
A Softened Heart
The humbling nature of going through divorce can be–for any of us men–an opportunity for a softer heart, especially towards our children. Understanding what our children are going through in a divorce may lead to greater empathy and more intentional investment ahead. Our kids are perceptive– they will likely sense what direction our hearts are turning. Is your heart turning towards them? Where your heart goes, your time will follow.
Closing Out: Redemption
The one thing I’ve told many people is that the half-time I have now is richer than the full-time I had before. I have seen God redeem the time I have with my girls in great ways. And while I’ve heard that time is the one resource that cannot be stored, controlled, or recovered, it can be redeemed.
If your situation feels bleak; if your past is a wreck; if your future feels hopeless, know this—God is the great Redeemer. Don’t lose hope!
Your agreement is not the holder of your future; He is. Draw near to Him today and invest your heart and time in a relationship with Him. He redeems those who turn to Him.
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Moving Forward
Practically, begin to build small habits for big future change.
→Consider making sure your phone is put away for dinner time and prioritize a sit-down dinner with your children on the nights you have them. Even if dinner just lasts 15 minutes. Be present.
→Be present for bedtime. Screens/phones away, have some time to answer their questions and listen to their imagination speak, especially if they are younger.
→When your children are away, look for opportunities to invest your time in other good ways. (More on this, later)
→Aim your heart towards loving and caring for your children’s hearts well. This will not go without future fruit.
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Ephesians 5:15-17: So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Questions or comments? gerberxc@gmail.com
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Shame and guilt over loss can limit forward progress and relational growth with our children; moving through these feelings is critical for men. Working through these requires support and often professional resources. Consider a local counselor to help with this.
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I love that we have access to evidence of Paul’s prayer life! His prayers are confident, powerful and specific. I personally wanted to better understand how Paul prayed because I believe it will shape my own prayers. I am sharing this in the hopes that it will also influence yours.
I have found that the first chapter of Colossians reveals much about confident prayer, and I will unpack some of it here.
Please note I’m not a theologian😁; this is simply my personal insight from reading the text and doing my own deep dive.
Colossians 1:4-8: A Natural Flow Towards Prayer
[4] For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, [5] which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. [6] This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. [7] You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. [8] He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.
I want to point out here that I see several things happening. First, Paul and others have heard of the Colossians’ faith and love. Paul links this to their hearing the truth of the Good News, the Gospel. This is tied to the sharing of this Good News with them by Epaphras. There is a definite flow to what is happening in this passage, and it links to prayer.
Paul states that this is THE same Good News that is going around the world and changing lives through an understanding of the truth of God’s wonderful grace.
What happens when this Good News is heard and truly understood? Lives are changed and transformed.
Note that confident hope comes with understanding and experiencing the good news on a personal level. This hope is settled and sure. The Greek word is Elpis. It’s not wishful thinking. It is a future assurance based on objective knowing. It is an expectation! This knowing and assurance of what heaven holds leads to a life in which faith and love grow. Both faith and love come from this confident hope. Paul also provides insight here that love is a gift given from the Holy Spirit.
I believe that this section ties well into the next, regarding prayer.
Colossians 1:9-12: Confident Prayer
[9] So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. [10] Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. [11] We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, [12] always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
In Paul’s prayer here to the Colossians, he asks for several things. He asks God to give the Colossians grace and peace. These 2 things are mentioned in 13 of Paul’s letters as his signature blessing. And here in Colossians, he also asks God to give them complete knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom, and understanding. He prays that they will be strengthened, so that they will have endurance and patience. He also asks that they will be filled with joy and constant gratitude to God.
To summarize, he prays for:
- Grace and peace
- Complete knowledge of God’s will
- Spiritual wisdom and understanding
- Strength fueled by God’s power
- Endurance and patience
- Joy
- Constant gratitude
The presence of these elements in the life of someone who has been transformed by hearing the Good News is a beautiful thing and reveals an abundant life!
What I Learned
These 9 verses alone are packed with richness. To me, they brought a greater understanding of where my hope and assurance lies, the certainty of heaven and what is stored in the future, as well as how to pray more confidently and specifically in the present.
Prayer is critical! I can’t imagine that it would be revealed in such detail in the Word if it was not important. I’m so thankful for Paul’s prayers because they have been bringing me a greater understanding of how to pray. I want powerful, effective, and confident prayer! But above all, I want prayer that is genuine, and from my heart.
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Moving Forward
What have you learned here about prayer, and how will it impact your prayers?
Questions or comments? gerberxc@gmail.com
In case you missed, find Part 1 on Prayer here: https://movingforwardcontent.com/2025/12/28/powerful-prayer/
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I recently found myself reflecting on prayer, and wondering how to pray more effectively and specifically. In this 2-part writing and video series, I want to share what I have been learning through exploring parts of the New Testament and Paul’s prayers. I hope it will positively impact your prayer life.
Unpacking Powerful Prayer
The apostle Paul’s prayers are featured often throughout the New Testament of the Bible; his prayers provide a good demonstration for what God-aligned prayer looks like.
If I want to incorporate the key elements of Paul’s prayers in my own, I began to understand that I might pray like this:
“Lord, I want to know you deeper each day. Please give me wisdom. Help me to live my life well. Please give me strength, and shape me. Help me to love greater! Please allow fruit to grow in my life and my relationships. Please keep me unified with others. Anchor me in Your hope. Let my life bring You glory!”
Diving In
“Lord, I want to know you deeper each day.
Paul–like David–wants to truly know God and wants the same for others. This means having a real, intimate relationship with God.
Colossians 1:9–10 – “That you may be filled with the knowledge of his will… growing in the knowledge of God”
Ephesians 1:17 – “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ… may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him”
Philippians 3:10 – “That I may know him…”
Please give me wisdom.
It is amazing that we can ask for wisdom; rightly applying what we know about God to our lives and decisions is the fruit of Godly wisdom.
Colossians 1:9 – “Spiritual wisdom and understanding”
Philippians 1:9–10 – “That your love may abound… with knowledge and discernment”
Romans 12:2 – “That you may discern what is the will of God”
Help me to live my life well.
How we live matters. Our behavior reflects our heart, and reveals it to others. To me, this speaks to being an ambassador for Christ and representing him well.
Colossians 1:10 – “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord”
Ephesians 4:1 – “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling”
1 Thessalonians 2:12 – “Walk worthy of God”
Please give me strength, and shape me.
This reveals the reality that life is not easy and we are weak. This request is inwardly focused (character) for outward good (purpose). And, we can always ask for this, regardless of our circumstances or other people’s behavior.
Colossians 1:11 – “Strengthened with all power… for endurance and patience with joy”
Ephesians 3:16 – “Strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being”
2 Thessalonians 1:11 – “That God may fulfill every resolve for good”
Help me to love greater!
The greatest demonstration of a life changed is the presence of love, lived out. A man is measured by how he loves; Love is his legacy.
Ephesians 3:17–19 – “That you… may have strength to comprehend the love of Christ”
Philippians 1:9 – “That your love may abound more and more”
Romans 5:5 – “God’s love has been poured into our hearts”
Please allow fruit to grow in my life and my relationships.
Fruit is evidence and witness. Fruit brings good, not only to ourselves, but to the people around us and in our life.
Colossians 1:10 – “Bearing fruit in every good work”
Philippians 1:11 – “Filled with the fruit of righteousness”
Galatians 5:22–23 – Fruit of the Spirit
Please keep me unified with others.
Conflicts are inevitable but unity is the hope. Be someone who seeks harmony with others and takes action to forgive, reconcile relationships, and restore unity as much as is possible, believing that God will lead and do the work.
Ephesians 4:1–6 – “Maintain the unity of the Spirit”
Romans 15:5–6 – “Live in harmony with one another”
Philippians 2:1–2 – “Be of the same mind”
Anchor me in Your hope.
This anchor is not lodged into anything circumstantial, or anything that can be taken or removed or disrupted. This anchor is rooted in hope in the immovable Sustainer and Creator, God himself!
Ephesians 1:18 – “That you may know the hope to which he has called you”
Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace”
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 – Focus on eternal glory
Let my life bring You glory!”
There’s no way to more simply state the purpose, intention, and mission for our life: to bring Him glory!
Philippians 1:11 – “To the glory and praise of God”
Ephesians 3:20–21 – “To him be glory in the church”
Romans 11:36 – “To him be glory forever”
To me, the prayers I have found in the New Testament by Paul seem to often be prayers for others. It feels important to note this, because I think it reveals that Paul’s heart is often for others and desiring that they would have a rich relationship with God.
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Takeaway
I want a rich prayer life. I want powerful prayer. I want prayer that aligns with God’s word and God’s will. I want to pray well, often, and for others.
What do you want?
I hope that having a better understanding of how Paul prays will help you in your communication, prayer, and relationship with God, today.
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Moving Forward
Do you find elements of your prayers here?
Is there anything you can use or apply from this to your own prayer life?
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Questions or comments? gerberxc@gmail.com
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If I asked you to share a time when you experienced joy, what would you think of?
Was it recently? What happened? Is joy a regular part of your life? If it is hard to answer this, you are not alone. But what is the importance of finding and experiencing joy and contentment, and how does it tie into living and leaving a life of impact?
After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, I saw men desiring to leave a greater impact on this earth. Many were asking “is what I am doing making a difference?” There was a hunger to do bigger things, and it was good to see men wanting to take action in ways that would positively impact others. As I listened to Erika Kirk speak, I began to realize that Charlie’s greatest impact was not necessarily from what he accomplished, but from how he existed when he accomplished. At least from the outside, it seemed his presence on earth brought her love, safety, contentment, purpose, happiness and joy. And these, perhaps above anything else he did, left a lasting mark on her heart.
Men, is this the kind of legacy you are aiming to leave?
I recently read that how a man exists determines his impact on others, and that there is an existence that produces powerful, positive heart impact. This kind of life is marked by presence, blessing, joy, and deep peace; inwardly first, and then outwardly. I found that in this man’s life, there is great meaning and purpose. His life is life-giving, good, deeply happy, and flourishing, because it is settled and right with what matters and who matters the most.
This is a life of wholeness, stability, and a deeply-assured internal peace. This way of living brings lasting prosperity–relational prosperity–the greatest and most enduring wealth we can imagine! The impacts of this kind of life last because they affect hearts and are motivated by real love.
From the promises of the text of Psalm 128, I discovered that this man’s life is filled with and produces…
- Meaningful work instead of purposelessness
- Deep relationships that grow instead of break
- Relational safety instead of instability
- Satisfaction instead of “surviving”
- Rooted, resilient, and present children
- Positive, healing multi-generational effects
- Community-wide impacts and greater unity
- A joyful character
The impact of heart and life alignment with God is first revealed to and experienced for those closest to us. Our spouse will flourish. Our children will thrive. Our friendships will grow. Like fruit, the effects may take time to be produced. But, faithfulness and devotion to God, and obedience towards Him will produce fruit, perhaps the greatest of which will be peace within us, and thereafter peace towards those around us.
I write this to you, because it matters to me and has been found to be real by me. I have experienced tastes of this fruit and the enjoyment of this life personally. I have found that when I align with God and follow his way, blessings follow and joy are found. For me, this is a life of the deepest purpose, presence, and legacy that I know.
Moving Forward
What can we do? The instructions in this text are simple, but from the heart: Fear the Lord; walk in His ways.
How can we begin? I would recommend beginning by seeking God. Find Him. Ask for Him. Search for contentment with Him. What do you have to lose in trying this?
Where will the impact be shown? This impact will be made first with those closest to us: our wife, our children, our families, our friends; and then outwardly, in our communities.
Enjoy LIFE as this alignment bears fruit, your family flourishes, your community is enriched, your legacy endures, and you are at peace. This heart of joy can be found here and now, present and lasting, unable to be snatched away by circumstances.
This does not guarantee an easy life; we will face difficulties. But this assurance is not circumstantial; it is available and present no matter what season we are in or what we are facing.
Questions or feedback? gerberxc@gmail.com
How joyful are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear him. May the Lord continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have peace! Psalms 128:1-6
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photo credit: shutterstock
The dynamics of divorce, and the fallout–especially with children involved–can be complex, challenging, and even hair-pulling. Communication can sometimes feel like mudslinging. You may often feel that things will never get better. In situations when post-divorce conflict and conversational difficulties continue, it is easy to wonder if it is possible to ever communicate well with your ex.
One thing I appreciate when it comes to co-parenting after divorce is that the aim is clear– do what is best for the children. If that mission is in mind for every message or exchange, it can help keep things on track.
If you find yourself, as I do, using primarily message-based communication, you have likely seen the upsides as well as significant challenges. One good feature of some co-parenting apps is that they can check the tone conveyed in the messages. But, the technology lacks the ability to fully assess the motives and the intent within the message. And that, I believe, is the most important metric. Can I stand behind each message I send and say that my intentions were truly for the best of the children? Or was I motivated by some personal vendetta, past wrong, or feeling in response to something my ex said?
Learning to consistently communicate kindly with your ex is a huge challenge, but also a huge opportunity. And while things may get more friendly and polite over time, our motives and intentions are only changed through heart change.
To answer the title question, yes, I believe it is possible to communicate kindly, regardless of the situation you may be in. But, it will likely take time, effort, and perhaps a change of heart. For me personally, this change in heart flourishes the more that I seek God and allow him to work in my heart, thereby giving humility and gentleness the opportunity to grow.
Consider this: Each exchange or message may be an opportunity, no matter how small, to look for and seek redemption and reconciliation in a relationship that has been damaged.
Moving Forward
How is your relational or divorce situation being used to change your heart today?
What I have learned
I am far from perfect; I have many messages I wish I could unsend. Growth is taking time, often slower than I wish. To help myself stay on track, I often ask myself, “What is best for the kids in this message I am about to send?” Here, I have to evaluate my heart; my attitude, motives, and intention behind the message I’m about to send. What am I hoping to convey and how do I want to convey it?
For the content and approach of the message, I am learning to ask, how can I say this so that what I am trying to communicate is conveyed in love, kindness, humility and gentleness? I do believe it is possible to do this more consistently, while still standing firm where I need to stay firm, and yielding where I need to yield; while being more understanding and open to feedback, but also strong in the convictions and principles that I believe are best for my children.
Questions or comments? Gerberxc@gmail.com
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Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2
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What do you want to give someone today?
As the holiday season arrives, I often find myself considering this question from a material perspective. My aim in sharing this today is to invite you to consider giving something that has the potential to leave permanent value.
As a home health PT, I’ve been in and out of around 15,000 homes in the past decade. I have heard countless stories from my patients that have held a place in their heart and minds for years. These memories usually involve someone who took an extra step to provide what they needed, when they needed it the most.
We have an OT who came to a patient’s home one day for a visit. The patient was feeling terrible; his blood sugar was low and he needed to eat. Our OT went into the kitchen, prepared him scrambled eggs and brought them to him. The patient said afterwards that those were the best eggs he had eaten! He simply could not believe that the OT had taken the time to do this for him. This OT’s action reverberated around our office and beyond, and the power of its impact struck me. He had gone “off-script” to serve our patient well. The impact was profound–not only for the patient, but for all of us who heard the story afterwards. It gave me a greater realization of the potential impact I have each time I step across a threshold and into someone’s life.
Serving others well can sometimes take us “off-script”, and it may come at a personal cost. It may cost us our “on-time” schedule, our emotional space, our energy, or our clean pair of scrubs (ever had to get on the floor and search for something someone dropped under their bed? 🙂
Regardless of the cost, consider giving someone something of lasting value today. We each have opportunities to do this, no matter where we are sitting or standing. Going off-script will require discernment–you may end up in unchartered territory–but great service often takes risks.
Today, please take your time to listen and understand what someone really needs –and then take action!
By taking that extra step, you may impact someone’s life forever.
No matter where you are reading this, consider asking today, “how can I serve those around me?”
With this willingness, you may find open doors to go off-script, to extend yourself, to show love and compassion, and to leave a positive impact on someone today.
Are you ready?
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About My Perspective
My career has brought me across thresholds and into the lives of (likely) more than 36,000 people over the past 12 years. I have learned immensely through conversations beyond the open doors, and I want to share what I have learned and use my passion, experience and unique position to inspire people to serve through love.
I am a conversationalist. My intention is to bring you into a discussion that inspires thoughtfulness and brings action; one that moves the needle towards more compassionate, understanding, and loving service. I want to invite you to explore how we–you and I–can best serve the patients in our communities, and each other.
If you are interested in having me bring this conversation to your workspace, reach out below.
Alex Gerber
Doctor of Physical Therapy. Dad. Friend. Adventure Lover. Community Facilitator. Conversationalist.
Founder of Gathered Charleston, creating spaces to find community and connection (www.gatheredcharleston.org); MEND Charleston, a local men’s group for intentional men (www.mendcharleston.com), Get Out! Charleston, an outdoor adventure and connection group (www.getoutcharleston.com), and Moving Forward, an inspirational content platform (www.movingforwardministry.org)
reach me at gerberxc@gmail.com
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The word “purity” seemed to lose its cultural appeal in the early 2000’s with the Purity Culture movement and sex; it definitely doesn’t seem to be a popular choice for a blog title, conversation topic or headline. But today, in conversations with men and in exploring the depth of this word as it relates to life and the heart, I am finding that many guys currently place a high value on purity.
I have a friend who is a scientific researcher; He understands that the smallest contaminant can ruin an entire experiment. Months, or even years of work could be thrown out if the sterile procedures are not followed correctly and bacteria breeds. And, through many conversations with men, I find that we often go to great lengths to avoid contamination of things that we highly value, especially food! 🤣. Smoking brisket, offshore fishing, hunting, grilling and cooking–hey, we strive for perfection! We want purity to enhance the elemental flavors of what we enjoy. We want the highest quality, the best cuts from the pasture, the fish straight from the sea–not the cesspool.
But, do we bring this same passion for purity to our own hearts?
Pursuing heart purity may be one of the greatest joys in life; In it is wholeness. And as a man, finding wholeness is deeply soul satisfying. I am learning there is a way to this heart wholeness, and I found some understanding of this in Psalms 119:9 that I want to share today.
How can a young person stay pure?
The Hebrew word for “pure” here is zakkáh. This is “wholeness”; it expresses itself in a heart that has clean motives and intentions; it is sincere, filled with integrity and love, and free from contamination. So, how can a man stay pure?
“..by obeying His word.”
“lishmor” is the verb used here for “obeying”. It means to keep and guard; to watch over, to protect, to actively preserve, to live intentionally, to align your paths with God’s truth.
In other words, How do I live a life that aligns with what God desires, thereby bringing wholeness, purpose, and fulfillment?
From Psalms 119:10-16, I see that a man can pursue “heart” purity by (NLT version)…
- Seeking God, not hiding or running from Him. (vs 10)
- Hiding His word in the heart (vs 11): deeply internalizing scripture through memorization and meditation, allowing it to guide your thoughts and actions, which come from the heart.
- Praising Him (vs 12): expressing gratitude, admiration, and worship for God’s character and actions.
- Being teachable in His word (vs 12): understanding I don’t have everything figured out, and I have more to learn.
- Reciting aloud His word (vs 13)
- Rejoicing in His word (vs 14): feeling and showing great joy or delight in what He reveals.
- Studying His word (vs 15): devoting time and attention to it. Think of the time towards your hobbies; is the same energy invested in His word?
- Reflecting on His ways (vs 15): thinking deeply and carefully about the significance, purpose, or implications of God’s ways.
- Delighting in His word (vs 16)
- Remembering His word (vs 16)
I have found that the further I dive into these, the greater wholeness I find, because I am drawn nearer to God, understanding his heart, and understanding how to truly live. And this greatly deepens my satisfaction in life and in Him.
What could this look like for you today?
For me personally, staying pure, or whole, looks like….
- protecting/guarding my heart from voices or sources that do not align with God
- pursuing a clean conscience, and confessing sin regularly
- resisting bitterness in co-parenting conflicts
- keeping my motives aligned with His
- guarding my mind from old selfish, guilt, shame or fear-driven patterns
- responding from the Spirit, not my wounds
- staying emotionally and spiritually honest
- letting love lead, always
Moving Forward
–>Where is your current value for purity for your own heart?
–>What will you do today to pursue purity and wholeness?
Thoughts or comments? Alex Gerber, gerberxc@gmail.com
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How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.
I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.
I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us.
I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches.
I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.
Psalms 119:9-16
Moving Forward 