I believe that writing has power. I believe that words have immensely more power than even thoughts. Words can be used for the eternal betterment of the Kingdom of God, and, unfortunately, they also can be used for the detriment of his Kingdom. I am taking it upon myself to start this writing journey and share words that could impact others and help men feel they can also express their words.
The reason that all of this came about for me was not in a way I was expecting or wanting, for that matter. I still remember the day 11 years ago my parents sat me down on my living room couch and told me my mother had been diagnosed with cancer. I did not know what this meant at the time, but remember thinking, “mom is sick and soon she will be better.” And soon she was better. Before I knew it she was back to health and ready to be a warrior for God. Fast forward 10 years. Spring of 2021 my mom took her last pill and was told she was basically done with cancer. Within just a few months — the fall of 2021— she was scanned again they came back slightly concerning. The doctors thought they found something. After a slight scare and more testing the doctors ended up deciding it was “nothing.” We all breathed a sigh of relief and went on with life.
But God has an amazing way of making himself known. On February 1st of this year, I received the phone call from my mom telling me that she yet again had been diagnosed with cancer. The doctors were wrong. The biopsy showed cancer. This time being stage IV metastatic bone cancer.
I hung up the phone with my mom and looked at my dorm room wall where I began to stare at a black and white photo of a lion that I have had hanging (I’m a sucker for some good David Yarrow inspired photography). After staring for a few seconds I said out loud to myself, “What have I done?” What I meant by this statement was deeper than these words. I began to think about the ways in which I have furthered the Kingdom of God in my life. I struggled to find anything that I have done in my life that involved truly letting the Lord take the full reigns. This was when the Lord took captive of my life… THIS was when I let go of the steering wheel and let Jesus take it from my hands. At that moment
If you would have asked me if I was a Christian before this day, I would have told you I was. I had a strong relationship with the Lord but never gave him control of my life. I felt that I could “BE a Christian” and “HAVE a strong faith,” but also do what I felt would make ME the happiest in life. I’ve been asked a multitude of times since the diagnosis has been out there, “how do you feel?” and “what can I do?” and “are you angry?” These questions can’t help but make me smile inside because even though I have recently been told the hardest news I have ever had to hear in my life I have realized that we have a God that is BIGGER than that cancer. His is immeasurable bigger than that new car, those friends, that pair of shoes, that career in “making money.”
Friends, we get one shot at this world… ONE. If we are not using that opportunity each and every day to further the Kingdom of the One and Only Way Maker, we have failed. Lions have a vast significance in the Bible and I do not think the reason I was staring at a lion when the Lord asked for full control was an accident.
My name is Connor McNatt, Founder of 3030 Manhood and that is why I am striving to become a 3030 Man.
Proverbs 30:30 “the lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any;”
3030 Manhood 