LES IS MORE — THE EDGE
On living at the apex, where obedience holds the line, love never withholds, and influence multiplies through abiding in Christ.
A man wearing a red Alabama shirt, leaning forward with an easy smile.
Behind the sunglasses is the expression I’ve seen for sixteen years — steady, present, and anchored.
A man comfortable standing at the edge.
DEDICATION
To the Influencers — global and local.
To Les and Lori Pearsey —
who have risen to the call again and again,
pouring their lives into men, women, couples, families —
into anyone willing to step forward.
To my wife —
who has walked beside me
and picked up the baton
as we continue up the trail.
And to the new blood rising behind us —
trailblazing, adjusting, bringing fresh strength
while standing on the same foundation:
We love Jesus.
And we are chasing an abiding life with Him.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” — John 15:4 (NKJV)
THE HOOK
If you’ve ever worked a pocket knife across a stone, you know something.
The edge doesn’t become sharp by accident.
You grind.
You hold the angle.
You stay patient.
And if that angle is off even slightly —
the blade fails.
THE STORY
The sharpest place on that knife is the apex.
That fine line where two planes meet in absolute precision.
That’s where I’ve watched Les live.
For sixteen years I’ve watched him stand there.
Disciplined.
Intentional.
Obedient.
And I’ve seen that edge tested.
Halfway across the United States we pulled into a camp for a weekend event and discovered a young couple with a newborn had just lost their building to fire.
Smoke was still hanging in the air.
Across the street sat a church.
Banners everywhere.
“Outreach Weekend.”
Les looked at the pastor and asked a simple question.
“Has anyone gone over to help?”
The reply came just as simply.
“They’re not members.”
I will never forget the look on Les’ face.
No anger.
No performance.
Just clarity.
THE MOMENT (BAM)
We went back to our Influencers camp.
We brought the young couple down.
Fed them dinner.
Sat with them.
Listened.
Prayed.
By the end of that weekend they didn’t just receive a meal.
They received love.
Encouragement.
And a donation that carried them through a difficult season.
No spotlight.
No announcement.
Just obedience.
THE TURN
That’s apex living.
I’ve watched Les stand beside men who were shaking, trying to find words.
He never moves away.
A hand on the back of the head.
A steady rub on the shoulder.
“Come on brother… you’re okay.”
Then the quiet half-smile.
“Don’t screw it up.”
Steel wrapped in warmth.
But if you really want to see the edge — watch him at home.
Watch how he looks at Lori when she walks into the room.
Like she is still the only woman there.
Watch him kneel to meet a grandchild at eye level.
Listen to how he speaks about his children.
How he honors his parents.
How he treats the cashier across the counter.
No hierarchy.
No rush.
Just dignity.
THE REFLECTION
There has never been a moment — not one — where I have seen him withhold love even when it would have been justified.
He chooses love.
Again.
And again.
And again.
That kind of consistency does not come from personality.
It comes from abiding.
Years ago I read The Journey to the Inner Chamber.
In that book there was a man named Gabe.
The influencer.
The one who abided.
The one whose life preached louder than his words.
When I first read it, I had no idea I would one day meet someone who lived that story.
Les is my Gabe.
Not in theory.
In flesh and blood.
WALKAWAY LINE
The world doesn’t need louder men.
It needs abiding men.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Because one day,
every conversation
will be the last one.
Make it count.
MY PRAYER
Father,
Thank You for men who hold the line.
For men who love without withholding.
For men who live at the apex of obedience.
Guard the leaders rising behind them.
Protect them from drift.
Protect them from applause.
Anchor them deeply to Christ.
Let their obedience remain steady.
Let their love multiply.
And if there is anything in us that still needs sharpening,
hone it and grind it.
Amen.
ABOUT G~
G~ writes from lived experience — exploring identity, authority, and time through the lens of faith, trial, leadership, and surrender.
His reflections are not meant to condemn or hype, but to steady.
Rooted in covenant, forged through adversity, and anchored under the authority of Jesus Christ, his work invites readers to examine who governs their lives — and to live intentionally under truth.
If what you’ve read resonates with your journey, feel free to reach out.
G~
Genice,
Reading this settled me in the best way.
There’s something deeply humbling about knowing that what God is doing through us — in our weakness, in our trials — is landing in loving and encouraging ways. That’s the reward. Not recognition. Not numbers. But seeing Him activate something good in someone else’s life.
Hearing how Les reached out, prayed with you, and how you’re living out that “iron sharpening iron” call — that’s the banner I want to stand under. Not cancer. Not trials. Not headlines. But faithfulness.
When you say I’ve been a Gabe to you… that moves me more than you know. If I’ve been able to steady you even a little, it’s only because the Father steadied me first.
I’m in awe of Him too.
Love you, sister. Grateful to walk this road together.
G~
Loved this GM, we haven't shared Greg's newest cancer with everyone as you've shared in a previous Spark, it's not our banner. We ran into the new Influencer leadership recently and shared our trials with them. A week later Les called and prayed with us. Paying it forward, iron sharpening iron is living out what God is calling us to do. As for me, I want to say I am continuously in awe of the Father.... thank you for being a Gabe to me. Love you so much brother in Christ!