Core Values: Be Boundless

Knights of Heroes is an adventure camp in the mountains of Colorado for sons and daughters of fallen soldiers. Boston and I have been attending this camp  for the past 11 years, and are now mentors. We accredit the incredible program for putting us on the path to true manhood. Knights of Heroes' five core values of teaching are from the following mission statement, found on their website:

"Knights of Heroes objectives include teaching children to be responsible, proactive, boundless, bold, and to exercise leadership while rejecting immorality, substance abuse, infidelity, and a sense of entitlement."

These five core values are instilled in the young men and women campers every day, in order to teach them what being a real man or a real woman looks like in a world of phonies. Each day this week, we're going to take a deeper look into one these traits.

The fourth post, on being Boundless, is written by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Harrold.

          Steve is the proud father of two sons, Jake and Tanner.  His wife Suzanne has blessed him with 23 years of marriage.  Steve retired from the Air Force in 2015 after 21 years flying the F-16. He served with Major Troy Gilbert and following his death, he founded Knights of Heroes in 2007. He did a short stint as a paramedic with the Colorado Springs Fire Department after retirement before being drawn back to flying.  He's now an instructor with Doss Aviation in Pueblo CO.

The following is his take and experience on the value of being boundless.

BOUNDLESSNESS

God has a plan for each and every one of us.  Some of us will realize His plan and follow it; many will resist His plan and spend their lives following their own desires and the plans this world has for them.  The manner in which the world defines success is fundamentally flawed and unfortunately, is the foundation on which earthly plans are made. 

This world measures success in terms of possessions, the type of job someone holds and the “power” or “influence” one might have over others.  To be successful in this sense requires an education from only the finest schools, a big house adorned with the most expensive furnishing in an upscale neighborhood.  Following this faulty logic will can lead you down the wrong path in life and create earthly boundaries, limiting our true potential. 

God’s view of success is much different.  Glorifying His kingdom and leading other’s to Christ should be how we measure our success in this life.  God’s plan for you is focused on this principle.  When this becomes your purpose, earthly boundaries vanish.  You become boundless. 

So what does it mean to be boundless?  It means living your life for Christ.  Measuring your success by the positive impact you have on others.  It means expecting a greater reward; a reward you will receive in heaven.  That isn’t to say you won’t be rewarded during this lifetime, but the greater reward awaits you beyond this life. 

What does a boundless life look like?  Waking up every morning and asking yourself, how can I further His kingdom and be a light for others.  Remembering that every interaction is an opportunity to plant a seed.  Conducting yourself in a manner that draws others to you; being enthusiastic, upbeat, positive, the person everyone wants to be around.  Leading by example with your words and actions. 

How do you know if you are leading the life God has planned for you?  A boundless life.  God will plant a seed in your heart, you will feel a passion for whatever it is He is leading you towards.  Doors will open, the right people will come along beside you on this journey.  That’s not to say there won’t be struggles along the way; struggle is necessary.  Struggle creates strength and perseverance.  

Because He is a loving God, He will always give you the choice to follow His path.  The choice will always be yours.  Will you choose the boundless life, or the one this world would have you follow?