Don’t Be A Lone Wolf (Boot Camp for Creators & Dreamers 15)

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Previously: We dreamers and creators need to stand up for what we truly believe in, whether it’s our faith, a seemingly impossible goal, or a project that promises plenty of hard work. And, because those closest to us may not always share our faith, or believe in our dreams and abilities, we need to be ready and willing to stand alone. This truth can mean the difference between success and failure, giving up or going the distance.

Rest assured, should friends and family ever turn their backs on us, God will always be there to encourage and support us through these difficult times. However, being able to stand alone is never sufficient excuse for thumbing our noses at the people around us. In fact, our Heavenly Father never intended for anyone to become a lone wolf.

We were created to interact, encourage, and cooperate with each other. So, although we may experience situations in which we must stand alone, it’s always best if we can find support and fellowship among like-minded people — and enlist their aid in the pursuit of our goals, dreams, visions, and creative endeavors. (Romans 15:5) Stand alone? By all means, if and when we absolutely need to; but if we’re blessed to have faithful friends, affirming family members, and — we hope — more than a few facilitators, then NEVER!

“…One standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 TLB)

Life is always easier and more enjoyable when we cooperate, network, and team up. To quote an old Beatles song, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” Furthermore, even if we’re standing alone in one area, regarding a particular issue, a creative project, a business venture, or an impossible dream, we needn’t be alone in other areas!

King David faced some of his greatest challenges while standing alone — but he didn’t make a habit of it. He chose not to allow the time he spent in the wilderness, hanging out with God alone, to turn him into a hermit; or his solitary confrontation with Goliath to prevent him from seeking assistance with future challenges. Shortly after slaying the giant, David
recruited a team of other capable and brave heroes,
to assist him in further Biblical adventures. His version of “the Avengers” would go down in history as “the Mighty Men of Valor.” (Nick Fury, eat your heart out!)

“And they helped David in his expeditions; for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.” (1 Chronicles 12:21 DARBY)

David — long before he took his rightful place as the leader of God’s people — also benefitted from the unfailing support and friendship of another Biblical hero, who had single-handedly defeated an entire garrison of enemy warriors; a courageous champion who was beloved by all the people, and therefore had an impressive following. Who was this mystery man? His name was Jonathan, and we first meet him in 1 Samuel 13:2.

During that time, King Saul was ruling over Israel. He had actually been chosen by the people to be their first king. He was a tall, handsome, talented, and extremely capable individual, who nonetheless suffered from low self-esteem — an open invitation to that dangerous green two-headed monster of jealousy and envy. Indeed, Saul’s poor self-image marked his downfall, and the beginning of David’s troubles.

King Saul tended to overcompensate (to strive to overcome a sense of inferiority through overt, opposite behavior). In doing so, he disobeyed many of God’s directives — and then made up lame excuses. (We won’t go into all the details here, because you can read a full account of Saul’s rise and fall, in 1 Samuel.) As a result of Saul’s shenanigans, God chose an unassuming Shepard named David to replace him as king.

Oh yeah, one more thing. Once Saul heard the news, he grew increasingly preoccupied with his own personal agenda: he spent most of his days chasing David across the desert in hopes of executing God’s chosen leader! But the two-headed monster of jealousy and envy had been nagging Saul since the first day he met David and realized the young man’s potential; and upon returning victorious from a fierce battle with the Philistines, King Saul witnessed something which infuriated him, a celebration that led him to open wide the door to his own downfall, and let the monster in: “…The women sang to one another as they celebrated, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.'” (1 Samuel 18:7 ESV)

But where does Jonathan fit into all this?

Although Saul was consumed by jealousy and envy, his own son Jonathan — heir to the throne — did the right thing! Jonathan realized that God was with David (and for obvious reasons). So, instead of following in the footsteps of his foolish father, Jonathan vanquished the green two-headed monster, and remained one of David’s truest and most loyal friends — fully supporting his future king.

What’s our point? Both Jonathan and David knew how to stand alone, but they also understood the importance of seeking (and offering) a helping hand. We creators and dreamers should follow their examples. We were never intended to handle the challenges of life alone! And God certainly doesn’t want us pursuing our fondest hopes and dreams all by our lonesome — at least, not if we can help it.

So don’t try to be a lone wolf. Stand alone when and if you must, but remember: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT) “…One person (can) chase a thousand … (but) two people put ten thousand to flight….” (Deuteronomy 32:30 NLT)

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Just the Facts (Boot Camp for Creators & Dreamers 14.6)

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Remember that old TV series Dragnet? If not, google it sometime. It was one of several realistic shows produced by Jack Webb, which included Adam-12 and Emergency. Webb was a talented actor, too. But when when he decided to play the starring role of LAPD Sgt. Joe Friday, he chose NOT to act. Instead, he rarely smiled and recited all his lines like an emotionless robot. It worked, however, because Webb was trying to achieve a documentary style: he wanted viewers to focus on the facts of each case — which were drawn form actual police files — and not on the actors.

Focusing on the facts even played into Sgt. Friday’s signature line. And Webb got a chance to say it in nearly every episode. During a criminal investigation, if a witness got long-winded or strayed from the issues at hand, Friday (in a deadpan voice) would remind the person, “Just the facts.” Which is excellent advice we should all follow in life.

Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe Friday (right) with Harry Morgan as Officer Bill Gannon — showing their excitement at working on a new case.

In Boot Camp, we’ve worked hard to give you just the facts. Sometimes, of course, the facts can be hard to handle. For instance, we realize that all this stuff about counting the cost, paying the price, making sacrifices, and investing emotional capital is a bit daunting to the average dreamer or creator. But trust us, we’re not trying to discourage our readers.

Nor do we want to rain on anyone’s parade — and we certainly don’t want to scare anyone off. We WANT you to pursue your dreams! We also want you to succeed, and not abandon your dreams at the first sign of trouble. That’s why we feel duty-bound to lay it on the line. As the Apostle Paul writes, “…We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ….” (Ephesians 4:15 NLT)

Big, God-sized dreams demand patience, fortitude, and endurance. They also require a tremendous amount of preparation and planning. Since being forewarned is forearmed, it’s always a good idea to have all the facts (truth) at our disposal. Sometimes the truth we share has a sharp edge. We’re not being pessimistic, though; we’re being realistic. Would you want it any other way? Sgt. Friday wouldn’t. So we give it to you straight: the lowdown; the plain dope; the real skinny; just the facts.

Fact:  First, it doesn’t pay to view the world through rose-colored glasses. We need to see life through the eyes of faith. “…Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 HCSB) When we view life (and our future) through the eyes of faith, we get God’s perspective on each and every matter, including our hopes and dreams. Then, no matter what challenges we face, we can truly believe that “…With God nothing is ever impossible….” (Luke 1:37 AMPC)

Fact:  God is on your side. He loves you. He’s totally committed to helping you realize your dreams. Ultimately that’s all that matters. “God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NCV)

Fact:  We’re not called to be people-pleasers. Here’s another hard fact of life: trying to please people (instead of trying to please God) can be hazardous to your dreams and creativity.

We should always be loving and respectful of all people, but we should never overly concern ourselves with their opinions of us or our dreams. Paul writes, “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT) Since this is our over-arching goal in life, the only question we need ask ourselves is, “Am I pleasing God?”

Fact:  God is not hard to please. He’s neither a celestial tyrant nor a critical, hard-to-please parent. He is our loving and understanding Heavenly Father. “Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentation 3:23 NLT) At the end of life’s journey we’ll hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And that’s the key to our relationship with God: He won’t say “good and perfect servant” — because He understands we’re only human.

Fact:  God has NOT forgotten you!

  • “I have written your name on the palms of my hands….” (Isaiah 49:16 NLT)
  • “God even knows [numbers; counts] how many hairs are on your head.” (Matthew 10:30 EXB)
  • “You [O God] know how troubled I am; You have kept a record of my tears. Aren’t they listed in Your book?” (Psalm 56:8 GNT)
  • “God is fair. He won’t forget what you’ve done or the love you’ve shown for him.” (Hebrews 6:10 GW)

Fact:  God is trustworthy!

  • “God is not a human being, and He will not lie. He is not a human, and He does not change His mind. What he says He will do, He does…. What he promises, he makes come true….” (Numbers 23:19 EXB)
  • “He is like a rock. What He does is perfect. He is always fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong.” (Deuteronomy 32:4 ICB)
  • “He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NLT)

Fact:  God has planned a bright future for you!

  • “I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised…. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out — plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (Jeremiah 29:11 MSG)
  • “…The people who know their God shall be strong and do great things.” (Daniel 11:32 TLB)
  • “…Thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

These facts are plain, simple, and straightforward — just the way Sgt. Friday would want them. Memorize them, recite them, cherish them; because “the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32 ICB)

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