Interview with Geoff Gorsuch

BMC: Geoff, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.  In your experience, what are some of the hallmarks of intentional living?

GG: Though I am not starting with a Bible verse, the thought is very biblical--There is no future in the past! Omar Khayyam, an eleventh century Iranian poet, spoke about intentional living when he stated the following, "The moving finger writes and having writ; Moves on, nor all thy Piety nor Wit shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, nor all thy tears wash out a word of it." The "intentional man" learns quickly from his mistakes or sins and does not make an "idol" of past wounds or successes.  To linger in the past, in regret, bitterness or even the happiness of past glory, keeps a man from focusing on the here and now and investing his very best for the Kingdom.  The Apostle Paul said it first and best when he wrote, "This one thing I do, forgetting that which is behind and reaching for that which is ahead, I press on..." The past is only something to learn from, not live in. The intentional man knows this and acts accordingly.

BMC: Your ministry with the Navigators takes you all over the world.  What are some of the things that consistently distract men from living more intentionally?

GG:  The greatest temptation of men in the industrialized world is not cars, cash or cuties, though some would have us believe that. The greatest enemy of men is idle curiosity--dabbling--a little of this and a little of that, rather than choosing a direction and sticking to it. Because of that they become "passive." They fritter time and energy away. Cinema, T.V, DVD, etc has stolen the masculine soul.  And the tragedy is that they would not only light up the world but their own lives, by thinking and acting in a more focused manner. We're back to Paul: "This one thing I do..."

BMC: What are some of the indicators that you look for to tell you that you are off-track in some area of your life?

GG: The living Bible says it very clearly in Colossians 3:15, "Let the peace of God rule in your lives like an umpire declaring fair from foul." When there is no peace, I slow down to find out why. I ask myself hard questions and I allow my accountability partners to do the same.  My wife is invaluable in this area. Paul said it best: "the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus."  I look for peace and I counsel others to do the same.

BMC: How would you describe your personal life mission?

GG: After many years of doing various forms of ministry, I have discovered that my gifting is in the area of "Life Coaching." It is a combination of the gifts of teaching and exhorting "to help men become better men."  Whether in the pulpit or over a cup of coffee, I find that through much study and prayer, God gives me insight into the human condition as it pertains to men and the grace and favor to speak into it.

BMC: Have you seen it change over time and, if so, what were some of the precipitating events that fostered its change?

GG: This reverts back to our first question in the sense that there are markers in our path of life that are there to guide us not leave us in stagnation. In my own life my "perceived failures" in certain areas have been used by God to re-direct me into the more verbal and visible ministry that I now do among men. A significant step came a dozen years ago when Promise Keepers asked me to step into a very public format to write and teach about where the men are today and how to help them.  That was the beginning of a new style of ministry for me. 

BMC:  What kind of review do you do on your life mission? How do you make sure you stay on track?

GG: Several times a year, I spend the greater part of a day with God. I exercise, I read some very interesting stuff, such as, "Waking the Dead" by John Eldredge or "The Call" by Os Guiness [ed note: see GEAR UP section above]. Then I will meditate on the Scriptures until I sense that I have linked my life, my family and my ministry back to God. Often I will return with a strong impression of what I need to do or delegate in order to move on in Christ. My wife, in her own way, does the same thing and usually comes to many of the same conclusions.

BMC: As a frequent speaker to men, what one piece of advice do you most consistently leave with them?

GG: Seek to understand the concept of spiritual warfare. Thousands of men are sitting on their church pews, today, wondering why their life is not more victorious in Christ. It's because they do not understand all that Christ has done for us at the Cross. In Christ we are seated at the right hand of the Father. We do not have to beg God for victory. It is already ours. We do not have to fight for the victory we fight from the victory that is ours in Christ.  It all boils down to James 4:7, "Submit to God and resist the devil." As we are close to God, we can resist the enemy of our souls and walk in His victory.