Several years ago, I was wrestling with what to do with my life. I had this nagging sense that God was calling me to something, I just didn’t know what. It seemed so many around me knew exactly what to do with their lives. And here I was-full of passion yet lacking direction. I was at a crossroads.

It was frustrating.

On a summer weekend during that time, I went to the grocery store to pick up some items for dinner. As I was checking out, I looked near the entrance and spotted a familiar face standing there waiting for someone.

It was Brock Lesnar.

I knew of Brock. He and I are the same age and I had heard about this beast from Webster, SD from some high school wrestling buddies. He later went on to become the NCAA heavyweight champion in college and found fame and fortune as a pro wrestler in WWE.  In 2004, he left the WWE to pursue a dream of being in the NFL and tried out for the Minnesota Vikings. Despite his rare mix of strength and quickness, it didn’t work out, and he was cut.

I met Brock following all of this.

People unknowingly walked by him as they entered and exited the grocery store, but I knew who he was. After I paid for my items, I walked up to him and introduced myself. He was much kinder than I expected from the pro wrestling persona he had on TV. I asked what he was doing in Rapid City and he said he was going to hang out at his family’s cabin in the Black Hills, do some 4-wheeling, and try to figure out what’s next for his life.

It turns out he was at a crossroads too. He mentioned he had options to return to the WWE, possible go to Japan to wrestle, or maybe start training for mixed-martial arts. He just wasn’t sure which way to go. It was clear he had the same inner turmoil as me (albeit in different ways).

Brock then asked me about my life. I told him I was in a similar spot and that I understood what he was going through. We bantered back and forth about each others situations. It was refreshing talking to someone who got it. No one was asking for autographs or pictures, it was just two dudes talking.

Then, his wife walked over to Brock and he introduced her to me. Not wanting to be “that guy” who kept them from enjoying a peaceful time together, I decided to wrap up our chat and mentioned that he had too much talent to not be utilized and wished him well. He wished me well too and we both went on our way.

As I was driving home, I was taken back by our simple chat. I’m sure Brock doesn’t remember our exchange at all. He probably gets that sort of interaction all the time. But for me, it was a gift from God. It was like God was saying that I wasn’t the only one in the in-between. Even those “who’ve made it” experienced what I was experiencing. I was normal (okay, that’s debatable).

Since then, I’ve followed Brock’s career. He eventually entered the world of MMA and today, he is the UFC heavyweight champion after only a handful of fights. This past year, he was crippled by a serious intestinal disorder and it wasn’t clear he’d fight again. And by some accounts, it wasn’t clear how long he would live. But now, he’s alive and well and he did fight again. This past weekend, as I watched his dramatic victory against Shane Carwin at UFC 116, it was goosebumps city. There was the guy who wasn’t sure what to do next with his life now doing something remarkable with it.

Donald Miller says, “A story involves a character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it.” That’s certainly true of Brock Lesnar and it’s also true of you and I.

Perhaps you’re smack dab in the middle of the in-between. You’re frustrated. You feel like life is passing you by. You sense you’re meant for more.

If that’s you, you’re in good company, my friend. Anyone who’s ever done anything worthwhile has been where you are right now. Even Jesus had his wilderness experience, his in-between time, before he changed the story of everything.

My advice is to pray, go the direction that’s most loving, utilize your God-given talents, and look for opportunities along the way. And if you don’t see any, create them.

Don’t just see your life as it is, get a vision for what it could be, and go for it!

The world needs you – to do – what only you can do.

This happens when you – become the you – God created you to be.

Those crazy dreamers.

Just when things are set to cruise control, those crazy dreamers come along and change the course.

Just when roots are firmly established, those crazy dreamers come along and shake the tree of complacency.

Just when times get to be predictable, those crazy dreamers come along and interrupt the status quo.

Everybody tells you to dream- but not everyone wants (or expects) you to actually follow through with it.  Especially if it rattles their cage.

Dreaming is safe.

Doing is daring.

Ignore the critics and cynics, but listen to wisdom.

And advance that dream you crazy dreamer.

That’s why you’re here.

“Someday, I’m going to chase that dream.”

“Someday, I’m going to get in shape.”

“Someday, I’m going to help those less fortunate.”

“Someday, I’m going to overcome that fear.”

“Someday, I’m going to ask her out.”

“Someday, I’m going to take my family on that trip.”

“Someday, I’m going to finish that project.”

“Someday, I’m going to learn that instrument.”

“Someday, I’m going to be debt-free.”

“Someday, I’m going to be a leader.”

“Someday, I’m going to spend more time with my kids.”

“Someday, I’m going to get these addictions under control.”

“Someday, I’m going to make a difference.”

A life full of regrets is paved on a path littered with somedays.

What’s it going to take to turn someday into today?

Someone dying?

Your health going downhill?

Your kids growing up?

Why wait?

You’re not promised tomorrow!

You have this moment- where your past and your future collide.

Replace the word someday with the the words, “Beginning today…”

And take the next step to advance that someday list forward.

You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. - James 4:14

Now’s the time!

Today’s the day!

Don’t waste your life!

You’ve got a story to live!

Go live it!

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“Sometimes, you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.” {Miles Davis}

When you’re playing in the sandbox of creativity, you will admire other artists. Eventually, your admiration becomes observation as you study what they do and how they do it. You find yourself doing the same thing to see if you have that kind of talent and creative spark within you.  Before you know it, you’ve repainted a flea-market version of their masterpiece. When your eyes are opened to it, it’s deflating and you want to tap out.

Sound familiar?

If so, welcome to the world of art. You’ve just taken a step forward in your orientation.

This phase of a creative’s development is not arbitrary, it’s part of the learning process-and it’s normal. What’s a shame is how discouragement derails so many artists and tempts them to stop creating. All because they believe they’ll never be as good as someone else.

Here’s the deal: It’s true. You never will create a better version of the Mona Lisa. Why? Not because you lack talent, but because that’s not your masterpiece. It’s someone else’s. Yours has yet to emerge.

It will take time, hard work, and grit, but it’s there, just waiting for you to find your voice and bring it out.

No one in God’s creation can create what you will.  Why?

Because there’s no one like you.

You are an original.

Go and create likewise.

Remember that epic scene from the film ‘Braveheart’ when William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson), with his face painted like a college football fan, inspired his men with these words?

“Fight and you may die. Run, and you’ll live…at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin’ to trade all the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take…OUR FREEDOM”

Now imagine him riding off to safety while those men went and fought for freedom.

Not the same story is it?

Instead, he led the charge against their adversaries and laid it all out there. Inspiring men with more than his words- but with his own life.

His leadership wasn’t top-down, it was out-front.

This is leading forward and that’s how I want to lead.

How often do we see leaders who can make a good speech (or sermon) and then step back as people enter into the fight of their lives?  Meanwhile the leader returns to the safety of their throne called the office chair or La-Z-Boy.

Top-down leadership is all about “have to’s” and fueled with fear.
“Do this or something bad will happen to you.”

Out-front leadership is all about “get to’s” and ignited with inspiration.
“Do this and something bad may or may not happen, but it will be worth it.”

Big difference, huh?

Which type of leader do you want to follow?

What kind of leader are you?

Some final thoughts from the great leader, Michael Scott:

“Did General Patton actually fight in World War II? No, he delegated the fighting to soldiers after telling them what to do…I like to be in the trenches. But I still have to tell other people what to do…’Lead that battalion over there.’ ‘You guys, jump on those grenades and save a village.’ That’s just good management.”