Unattainable and Avoiding the Millstone

Sam Byrd takes us through chapter 4 of the “Journey to Capo” series. He begins the video by talking about the lofty goals he set earlier in life of what he wanted to do, who he wanted to become.

I’ve always pushed myself to the limit in everything that I’ve done. I set goals that at the time seem unattainable and then set little stepping stones to get there. When I started lifting weights I started small. I wanted to have the heaviest squat of all time, not a bad goal. Here I am 17 year later, I’m still not there yet, but I’m getting closer. I set big goals and then I set stepping stones to get me there, just like in life. When I decided I wanted to become an attorney I knew I had 8 years of school in front of me. I wanted everything now just like everybody does, I want to wake up tomorrow morning and look like Mr. Olympia, that ain’t gonna happen. I wanted to be established, I wanted to be a professional, I wanted to be making money, I wanted to be driving nice cares, having a nice house, but that wasn’t coming right then but I knew the work that was in front of me and I just made a commitment and did it.

Sam mentions that as an attourney now his advertising is mostly online. But, when someone does a search on him all the pictures that come up are of him lifting. What comes up when you search your own name online? Are these things you want others to see? Do you want your job to see what you have posted?

Who, what are we striving to be? What are our goals in life? These are important questions. But have we stopped to think, “Who does God want me to be”, “What does God want me to do,”? In scripture we are told that we are to be examples for others. Jesus says, “No disciple is superior to the teaching; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” Who are we discipling? Do we really want others to be like us? In Luke 17:2 Jesus says, “It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin”. What are we teaching our children, siblings, and those in our care? 

Paul tells us in his letters, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”, (1 Corinthians 11:1). A very popular quote that is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi is, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” Are we practicing what we preach or living out what we claim to believe. If not, God has a warning, “So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth,” – (Revelation 3:16).