I love men. Among my top favorites: my dad, my four big brothers, my husband, my two sons, my brothers – in – law and my childhood best friend. The list could go on a while. While I hear other mothers vent their exasperation at the energy and roughness of their boys, I applaud it. I can’t help but laugh when a see a boy climb over and jump off an obstacle in their path rather than go around it. I love to see them challenge themselves and each other to be fearless adventuresome warriors. I think it’s sad that our society has evolved to a point where men are reduced to either becoming entertainers or being entertained in feats of strength or adventure. It’s like those who dare to be the man God created them to be end up as little more than a circus act and those who conform to society are allowed only to drool over the images of other men doing what they only wish they could do. We have, in a sense, emasculated men as a whole. In the push for women’s liberation and “equality” we’ve entered the sacred realms of warriors and adventurers and removed any sense that we honor their strength and courage or that we celebrate their masculinity. Even the church, generally speaking, has softened its methods and messages and many men have either left “religion” to the womenfolk or become wimpy and ineffective Christians. All because there is little to nothing there that speaks to their soul, their masculine soul.
Before I continue let me clarify one thing. I am not implying here that masculinity is measured by how rough and rugged a man is. A masculine man is not always a sportsman or an outdoorsman but most men do share a sense of adventure; from the time they learn to walk until they lay down to die they seek challenges whether physical or intellectual. They hunger for discovery, and take pride in overcoming obstacles. I believe these desires are direct from the heart of God, a reflection of His image, in which man was formed. They are characteristics to be celebrated and cherished, nurtured and encouraged. They are vital to the growth of our societies, protection of our families and connection to God.
It is that sense of that of adventure and discovery that founded the “
I recently read a scripture that I’d not paid much attention to in the past and it caught my eye. Psalm 149: 6 “Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands…” and I thought to myself, here is a prayer I need to pray for “my” men. That they will walk as warriors in this world and as they continually live a life of praise to God; that they skillfully wield the “sword of the Spirit” against the Enemy of God; and that they will aggressively and forcefully pursue godliness and righteousness and walk as carefully as a soldier in a minefield so they are not trapped by temptation. They need to do this, not only for themselves, but for their families, their neighbors and friends. I have no doubt that if men took the same energy they spend on physical adventures and challenges and put it in to fighting against temptation and sin and all the Enemy’s attacks on the family and the church we’d see a dramatic drop in divorce, suicide, teen pregnancy, drug use and all the other things that are defeating and destroying us. All these things, that should not be even named among us but are prevalent to the point that the line between The Church and The World is nearly indistinguishable, would be bound and chained and cast out where they belong.
Rise up men of God! Flex those Spiritual muscles! (I swoon) Raise your swords Knights of God! There is a battle to be fought, a war to be won, a love, a beauty to rescue from the Dragon! Fight with brains, with brawn, with passion, with creativity, with all the great and wonderful gifts that God has bestowed on you. Your love will praise you and your children will honor you! “This is the glorious privilege of His faithful ones.” (Psalm 149:9b)
