As I was talking with a sister in Christ this past week, I was reminded of the shortage of guys involved in missions. I have been on a few trips to different countries and every trip consisted of more women than men. In the different churches I have been to have been a similar experience. More women involved in ministry than men. There are some men who are dedicated but compared to the women we are in the minority.
Why is this? Where are all the men?
On my upcoming trip on the World Race, they are not able to put men on all the teams because of the scarcity of men.
Having traveled with sisters in Christ, I can say that I wouldn’t wish for any women to ever have travel this broken world without men by their side to protect them and help them. Am I saying that women are not able to take care of themselves? On the contrary, I know many women who are great at staying out of trouble but I also know that this world is broken and dangerous despite the best precautions. I believe that God has given men the responsibility of protecting and leading women. You see it’s not a matter of a woman’s ability or not but a matter of the responsibility that God designed. I thank God that women are not waiting for men before going out and being a light. If they had waited, I don’t know if there would be much going on on the mission field. But many of them haven’t and I thank you if you have chosen to follow God into the unknown despite the men.
But why is it that women are willing to go to different countries forsaking their comforts and security as they follow God to the least of these but few men are willing to respond to the great need of sharing the good news with the world?
Women go because they see the need and hear the call. It is as simple as that. Why aren’t men going? There are many things that are holding them back. But it’s time to let go.
There is something terribly wrong with sitting and watching the women do the work while there is so much need in this world. This should be an awful wake up call for all of us men to respond. We are not called to sit on the sidelines while women pick up our slack but we are meant to lead and protect. We are called to step up and go before they do.
God has also called men to be leaders. Not dictators, not masters, not commanders but servant leaders. Men, Jesus has given us the perfect example of how to be leaders.
Right after washing His disciples’ feet, Jesus told them:
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than His master nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them”. John 13:12-17
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”. Mark 10:43
Think about it, the Creator of the universe came down, leaving all of His splendor and glory to serve us, we who spat on His face. This is love. This is leadership. If the King of kings serves us in this way then how can we refuse to serve each other?
So men, brothers in Christ, fellow soldiers, now is the time to step up. Our generation needs us to be who we were created to be. Servants that are willing to leave and forsake the comforts of this short life in order to be a part of something much greater than ourselves. It’s time to leave behind the fleeting pleasures of this world and fight for the ones that will last forever. Don’t trade the eternal with the temporary. Don’t lose sight of the greater picture. Don’t allow things to keep you from doing what really counts. Men, we are called to be strong, not in our own might but in the strength of the Lord. We are called to stand up and lead a generation that is in desperate need of direction. We are called to go to the least of these and love them like Christ loves us. We are called to endure, encourage, love, and fight the good fight. Let us pursue God and follow Him to the ends of the world.
I don’t know what is holding you back. Maybe its work, money, pleasure, laziness, lack of faith, indifference. What is holding you back and keeping you from reaching your full potential? There is a world out there that is waiting for you to come love them. Whether it’s in your town, in a small village in Africa, or anywhere you are, be men of God who allow God to make a difference around them.
Will it be easy? Honestly, it will be the hardest thing you will ever do. But it will be worth it. Don’t settle for easy. Nothing of great value ever comes easily. That is why we need to press on and take hold of the eternal life. Everyone that you come in contact with is a beautiful person created by God, but we have all been affected by sin and we many people have not found the cure yet. But you have, and God has appointed you to go and share with them the most amazing news of all time. Remember that you are never alone and through every trial we have a promise that the God of the universe, the King of Kings is by our side empowering us to do the impossible.
So this is my prayer for us men of God. I pray that God would wreck us for the ordinary so that all we want is Him. I pray that we will say yes to whatever He has for us. If you are not sure what that is, open your Bible and read it. It’s all there. God will lead you in the way you should go if you are moving forward. You can’t steer a boat that’s not moving. Remember that your neighbors are just in much need of Christ as the people around the world are. Don’t let money or distance keep you from loving those around you. But also don’t let money or distance keep you from going when called.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Men, now is the time to step up. 
