I recently spent 4 days in the Ouachita mountains in western Arkansas with 5 other men. It was a time of rest and bonding over doing what we men do best, chop wood, grill meat and drink whiskey. If you would've told me 10 years ago that's what men of God did when they got together then I would've laughed. But I continue to learn that God doesn't fit inside our safe little boxes. The over-arching theme of the trip was to be get back to the heart of a man. Letting go of what the "church" has told a man he should be and just living out of our rough, wild and adventurous nature. Too many times have I sat idly by and watched the desires of my heart pass me by because I was told it wasn't safe to follow my heart. Well you know what? The heart of a man isn't safe, just like it's creator.
When I am faced with adventure my heart puts on boots and grabs an axe. When I am under pressure my heart stands up and says "bring it on". The world, nay the church, doesn't need another generation of emasculated men with polite manners and a clean cut. I think that verse in 1 Peter about judgement starting at the house of God somehow applies here. We, as men, must take a cold hard look in the mirror of the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help us regain our strength.
I read this in Proverbs:
"A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man" - Proverbs 24:33,34
There is a deep need in this world for men to wake up to their calling. To stop "folding our hands" over the xbox controller and get off the couch. We are only given one day at a time. I am earnestly praying to know what it means to give each day all I've got in respect to work, family and faith. My heart isn't satisfied anymore with the affections of my youth.