I recently took a look at the people in my squad that are going with me on the world race. I was shocked to discover that out of the 36 men and women in my squad, only 8 of us are men….We’re talking about fulfilling the great commision folks, being part of a move of God, leading people to Christ, exploring the globe in search of the lost and hopeless, and bringing hope to people all around the world!! This type of adventure is set up for men isn’t it?! Well it should be, but I also recently learned that the lack of men on The World Race is the NORM….It’s an embarrassment as a man to know that typically there are 2-3 times as many women per squad than there are men…..where are all the men of God?!
Think about it. These women are dropping their current plans in life and seeking a deeper connection with God, a deeper longing to serve people in His name, and the desire to invest their time in a fashion that will echo in eternity. I am humbled by their sacrifice of security, stability and comfort. I mean really, it isn’t quite as convenient for a woman to travel around the world as it is for a man. I mean think about the squatty potties and packing a years supply of feminie toiletries that aren’t easily found in other countries! Thats a sacrifice! But these woman see God and have heard Him, and they are going after Him full force! There are a lot of excuses why they “shouldn’t” go, but these women aren’t listening to the voices of fear and failure. They are listening to the voice of faith that echoes in their hearts! The voice that keeps them wanting a deeper connection with God, the voice that keeps them up at night wondering if they are living their lives for God as passionately as they can! These women are crazy, fearless women of God that are living a life of reckless faith and relentlessly pursuing the kingdom of God….
So I have to beg the questions. Do you think its God’s will that more women than men choose to pursue Him so desperately…? That more women chose to give up their lives in search of a purpose worth living…? Or is it simply that there are a bunch of scared men hiding from the will of God? Men who are scared to give it a shot, scared to even try, hiding behind typical excuses such as not wanting to fail, getting set back a year in their plans, or not wanting to lose out on making more money and providing for their future families. Let me just say this, if you think by giving up your plans for God that it will set you back years financially, and will stop you from being the provider for your future family, you’re completely wrong. God is THEE provider, and there is nothing that you’ll be able to provide for your family in the future that God hasn’t given you first! If you want to be a provider, then you need to pursue the One who promises to provide. Only in Him will you succeed in bringing provision to your family.
If you look around, you’ll see that in recent times, men are successfully failing. From society to the church, we’ve replaced our headship with compromise. This trend I believe is most prevalent in the Christian church today as statistics show that women lead the pack in church attendance over men at 44% compared to 36%(Barna Group). Although most men lead churches as head pastors, the attendance, participation, service, and spiritual application is higher in women than it is in men.
So where are all the men of God at? That’s an easy question to answer, we’re out taking the easy route. Just take a look at society. Men lead the race in sex without commitment. We choose friends, parties, the bar, and video games over fatherhood. We don’t connect on a deeper level with God because of the effort it takes to form a relationship with Him. God has set us up our gender to lead, and we’re to scared to even step up and take the first pitch. We’re too scared to be men. We are pathetic.
Satan has twisted the roles of men and women and he has been extremely successful at it. In the Garden of Eden in Genesis, God gave the commandment to Adam to eat of any tree but the tree of life. With that command, it was Adam’s reponsibility to lead Eve and guide her away from evil. But Adam failed to be a man, and instead allowed Eve to lead him into sin rather then leader her out of it. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not bashing on women in leadership roles in society or in the church, what I am saying is that when men fail to be men we all fail. Adam took the easy route, and because Adam failed to act, the world has been enslaved to sin.
So how do we fix this? Paul tells us what to do in 1 Corinthians 16:13. He says:
“Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong.”
Act like a man!! Take the risks and accept the responsibility, embrace failure, and seek God out in every area, decision, success, and failure in your life. Some of you men that are reading this have been given a mission and a purpose, and you are too scared to fulfill what God has put in your heart to do. In your heart you know you’re a small group leader, a pastor, a teacher, an evangelist, a World Racer! But you’re too afraid to act, don’t be. Act like a man, take the risk, jump off the cliff and know that God will catch you. Don’t worry about failing, if you’re going to fail then be a man and go down swinging!
Men, what is it that God has put in your heart that He wants you to do? Don’t wait! Be the father today that you weren’t yesterday. Be that friend that you haven’t been to your brothers that are struggling all around you. Save up the money and buy that ring, do it right, and ask her dad for her hand. Start that small group that God has told you to start, and lead men in a closer relationship to Him. Instead of being scared of completely following Christ, be a man and pick up your cross and follow Him. Get more involved in church, volunteer! Shoot, try applying for The World Race and watch what God will do in your life. Live a life of reckless faith, and quit being afraid! Be a man, and be the man of God that He’s made you to be. Today is the day. You’re up to bat, act like a man and step up to the plate!
"Every strike brings me closer to the next home run." -Babe Ruth
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