God Said You Can

Unlocking Human Potential: A Conversation with Pastor Joel on Beer and Bayonets

In a recent episode of Beer and Bayonets, I had the pleasure of welcoming back a very special guest—Pastor Joel. You may recall him from our holiday episode a couple of years ago, and I'm thrilled to have him back for another in-depth exploration of some truly thought-provoking topics. This time, we didn’t just sip on beer but enjoyed some Knob Creek whiskey as we explored ideas of motivation, personal growth, and the power within us all.

The Power of Imagination and the Tower of Babel

We kicked things off with a discussion about the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis. It’s a classic tale of humanity's attempt to reach the heavens by building a massive tower, only to have God intervene and scatter their language, thereby creating the diversity of languages we have today. But there’s one detail in this story that I had never honestly noticed before.

In the narrative, God acknowledges the incredible potential of humans: “If they put their minds to it, they will accomplish it.” For the first time, I truly heard that and thought, 'Wow, if God, the almighty Creator, says that about us, then there must be something incredibly powerful within human potential.'

This moment in the Bible is often overlooked, but for me, it was a game-changer. Pastor Joel pointed out that this statement isn’t just a random observation; it’s an affirmation of our greatness. He explained how God, in his infinite wisdom, knew that if humans were left unchecked, their pride would lead to their downfall. So, he stepped in to course-correct.

But what stuck with me the most is that God himself acknowledges that when we focus, when we put our minds to something, we can accomplish incredible things. That’s the power of human potential.

Humanity: A Little Lower Than the Divine

Pastor Joel further elaborated on the idea of human potential, referencing Psalms, which states that humans were made a little lower than God. This wasn’t just a metaphor—it was a recognition of the divine potential within us. We are made in God’s image, and with that comes the ability to create. Just as God, we begin with a thought, speak it into existence, and watch it come to life. Pastor Joel painted this picture of God creating humanity, not by simply speaking, but by getting his hands dirty—literally molding us from clay and breathing life into us. That’s the kind of creativity and power we carry within us.

The Journey of Man: From Boy to Sage

From there, we dove into a powerful topic: the six stages of the masculine journey, as described in the book Fathered by God by John Eldridge. These stages—Boy, Cowboy, Warrior, Lover, King, and Sage—represent the evolution of a man’s growth and maturity. Pastor Joel explained how each stage overlaps and how crucial it is for men to progress beyond each stage to avoid getting stuck in cycles of pride or insecurity.

For instance, in the King stage, a man has power and influence. However, instead of using that power to serve others, some men fall into the trap of using it to buy things for themselves, trying to heal their inner child or compensate for past wounds. This leads to stagnation, and if they don’t move past it, they might become disconnected from their families and those they are meant to lead.

The key takeaway? Growth requires intentional effort. We all have to work through our past wounds, break unhealthy cycles, and take responsibility for the people we lead—whether that’s our kids, our teams, or ourselves.

Leadership and Responsibility: Leading By Example

As we continued, we reflected on leadership, drawing from both personal experiences and broader observations. Leadership isn’t about title or authority; it’s about influence. And with influence comes great responsibility. As Pastor Joel and I discussed, if you’ve been entrusted with leadership, it’s your job to lead well.

We both agreed that the biggest challenge for leaders is the temptation to neglect those they lead when things are going well for them personally. The temptation to focus solely on your own success or comfort is powerful, but it’s detrimental to those relying on you. Leadership isn’t about selfishly serving your own needs—it’s about serving others and preparing future generations.

Breaking the Cycle of Pride and Pain

At one point, we engaged in a candid discussion about pride and how it often gets in the way of personal growth. Pastor Joel shared a powerful statement that really resonated with me: “Pain is not your fault, but healing is your responsibility.” Too often, we get stuck in cycles of pain and pride, but as leaders and humans, we can’t afford to let that define us. We must seek healing, break unhealthy cycles, and choose to grow.

If we don’t heal, we risk passing on our unresolved issues to the next generation. This cycle can have a profound impact, not just on our children but on society as a whole. As Pastor Joel wisely said, “Hurting people hurt people.”

The Power to Achieve: No Excuses

At the core of our conversation was the unshakable belief that humans have limitless potential. “You can accomplish anything you put your mind to.” Whether it’s making that next rep at the gym, growing your business, or starting that hobby you’ve been putting off, the power to succeed is within you. There’s no reason to wait for the “perfect moment” to start; just take the leap and begin.

Pastor Joel also shared his own journey with his podcast, which started as a hobby and has now grown into a global platform, heard in over 400 cities and 35 countries. If that doesn’t show the power of human determination, I don’t know what does.

Final Thoughts: Lead with Purpose

To wrap up, Pastor Joel’s insights into leadership and personal growth serve as a reminder that we are all capable of incredible things. The journey is never easy, but it’s always worth it. As leaders, as parents, and as humans, we have the power to change not just our own lives but the lives of those around us.

As you listen to this episode, remember: You have everything you need to succeed. The only thing standing in your way is your own willingness to act. Don’t wait for the perfect time or conditions—just get started, and watch what you can achieve.

Thank you for tuning into Beer and Bayonets. As always, it’s a pleasure to bring you these thought-provoking conversations. Stay tuned for more, and remember, no excuses—get after it.