Take a journey with me. So there I was in the middle of nowhere western Thailand. I sit in my hammock staring at the mountain range beyond the tapioca fields that form the border of Thailand and Burma as the sun sets beneath a cloudless sky. Everyday until the middle of January I get to experience this natural beauty. What a gift. And that is not the end of it. There is something that men desire above money, success, big screen T.V.s, and even women. Men desire identity. I would argue that all of that stuff is sought out in an attempt to develop an identity. The façade of a successful, happy, all together man is sought out in our acquisition of power and fortune and what we can leave behind to our children and it is fueled by a society that in essence is taking away a man’s balls. Men are stuck in these tight tights that cut off circulation but give the impression of support. The heart of a man is being ravaged and bound. For example, just take a look at the countless numbers of unsatisfied women in the world. Marriages are ending in divorce because men do not step it up and love and support their wives the way that God loves the church (Ephesians 5:25). I know this seems completely off the wall but lets be real. Women, do you want “the nice guy” who wouldn’t hurt a fly, or the man who will fight for you and do whatever it takes to protect you and help you grow in the Lord? I personally want my identity to be found in Christ, who fought to the death for his bride and came out victorious.
This month is all about this thing called identity. The men of y-squad, 13 men, are spending a month away from the women and are banding together with each other and with Christ. We are doing things like cutting things down, burning stuff, shoveling goat poop, riding on the backs of elephants, catching animals like giant man eating scorpions and poisonous snakes, sleeping outside under the stars, and other dumb and manly stuff. But we are also living in a community of servant hood, self-sacrifice, prayer, study, testimony, musical worship, and communion with God. That is what this month is about. Our identity is established in Christ and we will band together as brothers in love and in sacrifice for the kingdom…This is my anthem.
Band of Brothers
Battle Forboding
Bidding Their Lives
For Betrothal as
The Bride of Blood
Blood Shed by Grace
From the Body
That Was Beaten and
Battered, Bruised and Broken
Then Buried in Earth
Brothers Bound in
Freedom Found Belated
By Sin Encumbered
Beneath the Branded
Flesh and Bone
Beyond the Battle
Lies No Border
Of Boredom, Nor Backs
Behind Fearful Walls,
But Rather Broken Bars,
Balled Up in
The Dark Bend of Bound Up Hell
Heaven Welcomes This
Band of Brothers,
Blood Bound and Betrayed.
Boys Will Become Men
And Brave They Will Be
The Man With Unclean Lips,
Brandon Barnum
