Three elements converged in the men’s outdoor experiment to see it find its wings.
As Jesus-follower visionaries, both men were marked by their love for the Lord and for the wellbeing of fellow pilgrims in pursuit of Christlikeness. Secondly, Mike and Matt thoughtfully collaborated together in conversation, prayer and purpose. And finally, the two buddies consulted their calendars and cooked up a plan. And then, set it in motion.
The “cooked up” part of the scheme featured a practical side. Once the pre-designated couple hours of silence and solitude drew to a close, the small gathering of men met again at the campfire. There, on a makeshift grill above an open flame rested a grand collection of fresh, sizzling, mouthwatering steaks. Complements of Chef Matt.
Vision. Intention. Means. The triune blend of the VIM principle prescribed by Dallas Willard served these two friends (and their invited guests) well. Where strong desire is found, the principle works – both for the individual life, and for those on a communal journey. Nothing else is really needed. The outdoor dining on that day was a perk – albeit perfectly seasoned.
“There was a time,” writes Richard Foster, “not so very long ago, when solitude and silence were available to people by the normal conditions of everyday life. Not any longer! In our day, we have to choose solitude and silence and plan our lives accordingly. It can be done, of course, especially as we catch a vision of their liberating qualities.”* When a believer’s hunger to become Christlike rises to the level of unquenchable longing, they’ve come to a good place. Jesus strikes at the heart of our need for, and the reward of, growing a robust appetite for God, “Those who hunger and thirst … will be filled.”* *The Making of an Ordinary Saint, N Foster *Matthew 5:6 – ©2026 Jerry Lout Jerry Lout was raised in Okmulgee County. His two memoirs, “Living with a Limp” and “Giants in the Rough,” highlight the dual encounters with Polio and his decades living and working in East Africa. jerrylout@gmail.com, 918-857-4373
