Walter on How Men Look - Part the Third

You can read the first part of Walt's letter here.

For part two click here.

For a whole barnload of Walter's thoughts, go here.

Looking Down

A man’s eyes can’t always be up and there are a couple reasons why.

First, a man needs to look down when the look forward is full of female flesh he’d be better off not seeing. Now I know that at the root of lust is a heart problem, but it sure won’t hurt a man to make a visual contract with himself. Job did and the terms specified he would not gaze on a virgin. That means that although his glance might meet with the painted eyes and over-sensualized dress of an immodest (or mostly modest) lady, he’ll stare at his shoes before he’ll stare at her.

Better to look down and walk into a wall than gaze at what is in front of you and fall off a cliff!

Now I know that is not always the easiest thing to do, and I don’t mean to over-simplify the root of the matter – but you’re a heap less likely to get hit by a plane if you stay off the runway! Can a man take fire in his bosom and not get burned? Of course not, and he might as well stay away from the matches and kindling as well!

Of course, when he doesn’t, and the mind of his heart wanders to forbidden places, then he ought to be a might quick looking down in a second way – in repentance. Some men think of sin like it were a missed tee shot – something to be mad about, but a thing they can fix next time. But we need to see our sin as sin, and there is no better way to do that than give a fresh consideration to the cross. That is what my sin deserves.

Looking Up

Well, you knew I was going to get to this one didn’t you? And rightly so! For no look down is complete without a look up! And just as we need to look up to the Lord for grace and forgiveness, we need to look up to the Lord for daily strength. I took a quick glance over my life the other day and discovered something – I tend to grow a little lax in the Bible reading and prayer department in the summer time.

You’d think those extra daylight hours would be put to better use, but I am a slacker at heart. So, this year, I have made it goal to not miss one day in June, July or August when it comes to reading and praying… and so far, the Lord has given grace.

Maybe this would be a good idea for you, too. Nothing like a week of vacation to drop rats in your grain bin. Why is it we love our rest so much? Why not take that time of less responsibilities to do more spiritual growth? That’s what I’m going to aim for anyway, and I’d be happy to have y’all join me in the endeavor!

Looking Nowhere

Finally, having looked forward, behind, beside, down and up – we need to look nowhere. What I mean is that a man needs to learn to humble himself and get some rest. Is it pride that keeps a man up late? Is there some part of us that just wants to believe that we can get by without a respite. Only God never sleeps or slumbers, but men have to do both.

And when you fight rest, you usually end up encouraging sin. Too much late night singularity can lead to too much sin. A man is never so vulnerable to the enemy as when he is all alone and tired.

I realize there are times a fellow has to stay up and get things done, but I’m talking more about the “stay up just because I want to” kind of thing. A wise man will learn to accept the fact that he needs to sleep, and that said sleep will do more to make him do more than a dose of caffeinated coffee in his bloodstream.

Well, such is all I care to pen between the bleating of newborn kids.

Have yourselves a pleasant meeting and remember to not waste a second of the precious time God has granted you with one another.

Sincerely,

Walter

P.S. I hope the red sticks win.