Yesterday, during the Lakeside Pres' Samson Society after-meeting, a fellow Samson guy who's been involved for almost as long as I (here in the Jackson Metro), asked about another "oldie" who he remembered I'd befriended soon after this man's arrival "on the scene" of the First Baptist Church Samson Society meeting back in '14.
Instantly, I vividly recalled my last conversation with that man. And from there, I explained over breakfast that this guy haven't (during our last conversation) expected me to ask of him to chronicle (via a blog post) his experience being involved in this ministry for +/-3 hard fought years (before his eventual discreet exit). Instead, I suppose, in me reaching out to him, he was looking for a segue from Samson Society vernacular to whatever he felt might come next between the two of us as friends. And this despite the fact that we're geographically separated by quite some distance.
Many guys involve themselves in this ministry whilst holding their noses. These men look down on their involvement in Samson Society instead of seeing it as a privilege. Yet, they're committed to it - at least for a season. The "oldie" Samson guy that I referenced above stuck with it for a few years, driving to Jackson each Wednesday in order to be on time for the 6 PM meeting at First Baptist Church Jackson. Eventually though, he quit coming until +/-1 year later when he involved himself in some additional stupid behavior. And that, in turn, landed him back in the same Samson Society meeting - for another short stint.
And then, he was gone for good. As such, I'm willing to bet a dollar that he's not once mentioned / endorsed this ministry to anyone ever.
From there, a few years later is when I reached out to him as I mentioned above, asking him to do some chronicling (of his journey along the Samson Society The Path) for me. But, his reaction was less than reciprocal, to say the least. Yet, the root of that reaction harkened back to his approach to the ministry itself.
--------------------------
How I would love to know how many men fall into the same category as this Samson guy. Men who truly experience a love / hate relationship with this ministry. Love it for what happens to and for me. Hate it that it exposes, metastasizes my needs via communal opportunity (meetings).
I know this particular "oldie" was an esteemed professional, and he was well positioned to advance quickly (had he not involved himself in mucho stupid). As such, his vocational ambition was only rivaled by his penchant for seducing (& eventually bedding) beautiful women. And man oh man, was he good at seduction.
Most men within our Metro Jackson Samson Society are not of this ilk. Now, I'm saying most, not all.
Samson Society is filled with men who're fucked up. Broken. And so forth. And we know it - through and through.
We're not the best and brightest. Bronzed children, for sure, if you catch my drift.
And this is a turn off to a lot of (mainly white) guys.
But for the rest of us, it feels like home. Especially here in Mississippi where there's just an awful lot of less than stellar.
Jesus' disciples would have fit right in within any one of our five Metro Jackson Samson Society groups. Do keep that in mind the next time you may feel so inclined to bittersweetly elucidate with us.
In closing, Samson Society as a ministry is not for everyone, but it is a ministry that is well positioned for many, many more than those of us who do choose to participate. Please consider joining us today.
No comments:
Post a Comment