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How does one grow from a boy to a man in today’s world?


An appropriate question coming out of a month of ministry (aka “man-istry”) with just the men of H Squad (though Benny and I kinda came in and out this month).  It comes to mind mainly because I just finished a book (Adam’s Return by Richard Rohr) talking about male initiation; the five promises of male initiation that practically every religion, tribe and culture has in common.  Through various rituals and ceremonies, (a dying art in modern North America), these groups of elder men would teach adolescent boys the “facts of life”, basically just speeding up the process of them learning these facts the hard way.  Tell me if you disagree:

1)    Life is Hard
2)    You are not important
3)    Your life is not about you
4)    You are not in control
5)    You are going to die

Yes, at first glance they all do seem extremely negative, but seriously, can you honestly disagree with any of them?  I would like to think life’s a breeze, I’m important, it’s all about me, I’m in control and that I’ll live forever…and I could sure spend a bit of money or find the right friends ensuring these more positive life mantras come to pass, but it would be fake.  I think the sooner we all honestly look at ourselves and admit we need a Savior, the sooner we will actually live. 

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Matt. 9:12)

The author, Richard Rohr, goes on to explain the four characteristics of male wholeness, as exemplified by Jesus.
 


    Jesus as a Warrior – He basically ignored the Roman occupiers of Israel, and focused on the hearts of his followers, often bringing words of truth that cut to the core.


    Jesus as a Wise Man – “We have tended to make him (Jesus) give us quick and final answers more than teaching us journey and process” (p. 112).  Rohr mentioned that Jesus only directly answered 3 of the 183 questions thrown at him.

 


    Jesus as Lover – He hates human suffering and felt deeply for all those around him, even those that hated him.


    Jesus as King– He holds the big picture together.


I know the leaders at AIM take this discovery of male, child-of-God identity seriously too. They’re
 cheering from the sidelines as we take             4 generations of Hoogendams
a big step out of our day-to-day life and give up our control of our agenda and the machismo masks so many of us wear.  We’re yelling from the mountain top, “We want more”!

 
I will not be disappointed if I do not see an entire continent or community accept Christ during this trip.  I will be disappointed if I do not discover my God-given giftings and change the world by a sold-out Jesus-following…starting with myself.

“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and left untried”           
– G.K. Chesterton