A Title Worth Reading
I was out running the other day when I felt like maybe the Holy Spirit dropped a thought into my heart. I had been praying as I ran, asking God to help me be a better father to my sons and a stronger role model for the young people I get to lead around the world. As I ran, I was reminded of recent moments of frustration, even rudeness; snappy remarks, rough words, bad attitudes, complaint, and the list goes on. I like running because I like to imagine leving all that crap out on the trail. It got me reflecting on who I am at my core, though…and who I’m supposed to be. On the surface, I’m a people person. I am comfortable in a crowd or in front of people, and can easily crack a joke, charm the room, and be the life of the party
It's weird how the good the bad and the ugly are all in each of us! Honestly, some days, it doesn’t take much for my dominant emotion to become negativity. And here’s the hard truth: no matter how much good I may bring to a group or a room, if what people see most is irritation, complaint, or overwhelm, that’s the cover and title of my life they’ll remember. People really do judge books by their covers.
This thought hit me fresh as I looked over a treasure I recently inherited—my grandfather’s extensive old Zane Grey book collection. Most are tales of the wild west, and their print dates go back to the early 20th century. It’s amazing to sift through them like baseball cards to admire the inscriptions written inside. Some were given as gifts at Christmas to loved ones in distant cities. The covers are weathered and tough, and the titles short and powerful: To the Last Man. The Light of Western Stars. Ken Ward in the Jungle, Young Lion Hunter. My Grandpa’s favorite is Riders of The Purple Sage. But my favorite cover is a book called To The Last Man. Just a few words, yet they pull you in. You want to open the book and read the story.
Our lives work the same way. People are “reading” us every day, starting with the cover. What they see on the outside shapes whether they want to go deeper. And that cover isn’t just about our gifting, charisma, or personality; it’s shaped by how we lead ourselves and what we’re building when no one is looking.
If complaint wins out, if anger boils over, if frustration is what I let leak out of me, then my cover says frustrated man, overwhelmed dad, complaining leader. NO ONE wants to read that story. No matter what wisdom I have to offer my sons, they’re going to shut me out because I allowed my dominant attitude be a bummer.
But if I surrender daily, humble myself and get real with Jesus; if I let His Spirit lead me, and if I fight the inner battles of my heart, then my cover can match the true story God is writing – one I am proud to tell: courageous father, compassionate leader, faithful follower of Jesus.
The Bible says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Paul also calls us “living letters” for the world to read (2 Corinthians 3:2–3). Which means every day, people are picking up the “book” of your life and mine…or not!
What does your cover say?
I want mine to read like one of those old Zane Grey novels—bold, gripping, authentic, and worth turning the pages, not off-putting and left alone on the shelf!
So here’s my prayer:
Lord, help the cover of my life match the story You’re writing inside. Let my sons, my family, my community, and the world see not my frustration or weakness, but Your strength, Your love, and Your Spirit alive in me as I become daily the man, the husband, the father, the friend, the leader, and the lion, you made me to be! By your grace and kindness, and with your heavenly help…Amen!