Honoring Our Fathers
I lost my father over fifteen years ago.
Dad taught me many things about persistence, frugality, and continual growth. He taught me to not take myself too seriously, to always believe in myself, and that I can always improve and learn from my mistakes (although I’ve found it more beneficial to learn from other people’s mistakes).
Most importantly, Dad’s death taught me that I don’t want to wait until retirement to enjoy life. I want to make the most of the time I have with my family and loved ones because none of us know when our number is going to be called or when we will no longer be able to do many of the things we currently take for granted. I wish I had told my father that I loved him more and I always want to take the opportunity to tell my kids and others that I love and appreciate them.
I still think of him whenever I hear an off-color joke and when I read or watch personal development books and videos. My father was not perfect, none of us are. We all far short of that mark.
Are we fighting against something or for a worthy cause?
In the book “King, Warrior, Magician, Lover”, Moore and Gillette explain the characteristics of a mature man and how these manifest by breaking them into archetypes they call the King, Warrior, Magician, and Lover. They explain how many of us evolve over our lives from the warriors who fight against things they want to defeat to the Kings who lead us to fight for just causes and the people we love.
The mature Warrior creates order, sets boundaries, goes out into the world, and gets things done on the orders of the King. He knows his job is to take action in the world in service to the King. He needs the orders of a good and just King to bring him to his full expression.
He sets boundaries. He does this with a clear understanding of the concept of difference: of an innate knowing about “This is where I stop and you begin”. He knows how to set a boundary and the difference between “yes” and “no”. He knows what he is fighting against and what he wants to overcome.
He tends to see things in black or white. His may be a binary world. Clarity is everything. That way he knows with certainty what needs to be done.
He may act without feeling to get things done. Examples of this include the way fire fighters go into a burning building to save people. This is true Warrior energy: take action first, feel the feelings later – if necessary.
We Need More “Kings”
The “Sovereign” leads us toward just causes. The king is responsible for this leadership, vision, purpose and mission in organizations and countries. He leads by example and is accepting, generous, just, clear, and wise. This is a “heart centered leader”.
The King is the most mature of all the archetypes. He carries the wisdom of generations and an understanding of what needs to happen next. He can issue orders to the Warrior to get things done. He is softened by his love of others and seeks the counsel of the wise.
He embodies a certain quality of calmness which comes from his profound knowing that he is good enough. He has deep wisdom and the ability to bless. He blesses others for who they are and what they have to give. He rules with the consent of his citizens, who in turn bless him with their acceptance and trust in his reign.
He brings balance and integration to his Kingdom, possibly embodying the energy of the heart-centered (or “Servant“) Leader, but always working for the prosperity of the Kingdom, its fruitfulness, peace, and harmony.
Warriors to Kings
Warriors are needed in the service of a just cause, yet it seems all too often today our Warriors are focused on what they are against rather than what they are for. This tends to happen unless they are lead by a competent King. Kings inspire us to fight and die for a worthy cause.
The warrior tends to feed off of anger & competition while the king’s primary energy is joy.
The warrior can tend to be more of a mercenary while the king helps us be mission and purpose driven.
The warriors have brothers in arms while the king is the father figure.
The unfocused warrior tends to be a mercenary, focusing on personal gain. The king leads us to focus “not on what our country can do for ourselves, but what we can do for our country,”
The warrior can fall into fear and hate while the king inspires knowing, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”
The warrior has an enemy. The King has a “Dream”.
Under a leader with true king energy, Abraham Lincoln once said that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
The King of Kings
The perfect example of the king archetype is Jesus Christ. Many have fought and died following Him and His great commission. His mission is to save the world from sin and death and allow us to escape our condemnation. He gives us the freedom to accept Him or reject Him. Following His leadership, we focus on faith, love, joy, truth, freedom, redemption, and a dream to live with Him in eternity. Those who know and follow Him can become better kings for their families, their organizations & our country. Let’s all hope and pray that God will raise more true and honorable kings and we can become better kings for those we love.
Revelation 17:14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
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