My Digital Video Project

               Hi, my name is Colin Brooks, and I am currently a junior at the University of North Alabama. I recently turned 20 years old (April 15), and my biggest goal in my life right now is to mature and become a man of Godly character. As I keep living, I realize this goal is easier said than done. Attributes like staying consistent, keeping your word, accepting responsibility for your actions, being confrontational while still being loving, being on time (early), praying for those who do you or those you love wrong, denying your desires for the benefit of others (servanthood), and even maintaining your integrity in the “small” decisions are all examples of what I believe a real, Godly man should look like. While the stated qualities are what I believe makes up a man, I can recognize that I lack many of the attributes mentioned at this stage in my life.  

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               Something about me that is good for you to know is that I consider myself to be self-aware and emotionally intelligent. These are positive qualities about me. It means I can recognize when I am not doing something right and go through the processes to figure out how to get better (wise counsel, re-evaluating systems, etc); however, just because I may know how to grow does not mean I decide to live out the knowledge I have. My stewardship and decision-making are have a lot of room for growth. I have intentionally chosen comfort over wisdom on multiple occasions. Over time, these “small” decisions have stacked up to unfold a sobering reality that I have A LOT of growing to do. I’ve missed out on fellowship with family and friends, experiencing God on a deeper level, and being able to take care of myself and others better, with nothing to blame but my poor decision-making. This is what I plan to change.

 

               Before I explain what I am doing to change how I make decisions, I want to say this: If you feel like you are in the same boat as me, give yourself some grace. Whether you are 15 or 75, there is no person on this earth currently that has it all together. Ultimately, our imperfections reflect our need for a Savior. One who can take the weight of our wrongdoings and give us grace and help in our times of need. One who will never leave our side no matter how many times we fall short. One who has the power and authority to lift us and make us new in Him. Good news for us, there is a perfect man who far exceeds the description of a savior, and His name is Jesus Christ. If you are wondering who this man is, I invite you to watch these two short videos here (1 min) and here (6 mins). In a book called the Bible, also known as God’s Word, it says that to accept this Savior into your life, all you have to do is “declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). It’s that easy! Not only can Jesus save you, but He has an immense love for you, desiring to develop a relationship with you. All you have to do is take that step towards Him in your heart and He will meet you more than half the way.

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               With that being said, my number one step to change is connection and communion with Christ. He is the only reason I have hope for change in the first place. The second step I am taking is accepting responsibility through accountability. In an interview with KO, my father-in-law, he said one of the main ways he grew into manhood was by accepting his responsibility. In my application of this, I will surround myself with other, like-minded people, staying accountable with God and them in my journey of growth and maturity.

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               One group of people who are good for this is the members of the Ascending Voices Gospel Choir (video). It’s a group I joined this semester on my college campus. Their goal, as stated by the President of the organization, Elijah Winston, is to give people the space to “worship God with people who also want to worship God”. This group has many like-minded individuals who can help me be accountable in my journey of maturity. I will also seek wisdom from older, Godly men who know what it looks like to go through that process of maturity and come out on the other side of it.

 

               In conclusion, as a 20-year-old young man, it is my goal to grow out of my old ways into better, more mature ways of living in Christ.