Guys, a good friend of mine recently felt led to begin writing email newsletters addressing the current economic uncertainty from a Godly perspective. I will post a few occassionally. I hope you find them encouraging - let me know if you would like to be on the distribution list.
Today’s message: Find a (mature) friend. Scriptures: Pr 27:17; Jn 15:15; 1Sam 20:4
The greatest threat to men in our culture is….. What do you think? Pornography, love of money, accumulation of things, busy-ness, identity crisis, feminization of the church, something else? How about this one: isolation. Our culture tells us to get up, go to work and get it done. And, if things (or, should I say, when things) get tough, just gut it out in your own strength. Perhaps as you look out at these challenging times, you are tempted to harden yourself for the daily fight and keep battling in your own strength. Well, perseverance is certainly better than being lazy but if we are operating in our own strength there are limits to what we can bear (remember we’re supposed to be in that yoke with Him). Perhaps this “do it on my own terms” approach isn’t going all that well for you right about now. As a recovering iso-holic, I can testify that it doesn’t work very well. I was raised this way as was my father and his father. The difference is that Jesus got hold of my heart about 29 years ago and everything’s been changing (compared to the pattern in which I was raised) since. I have a loving, wonderful wife who is my dearest friend but God made us to be in relationships with other Christian men; this is how that iron gets sharpened and we grow up in Christ. For the past eight years or so, I have benefited from regular Christian fellowship with real men who have challenged, confronted, prayed and loved me when I really needed it.
Jesus modeled it perfectly by having one very close friend, three close friends and twelve friends. Why is this so important and not simply the latest item in the Christian cafeteria line where we can pick it if we feel like it? Simple: we were made in God’s image who has eternal fellowship with Himself in the Trinity. Similarly, we thrive in fellowship but when we deny God’s good intended order, something else (a counterfeit) moves in and attempts to fill the void. In other words, isolated from real Christian friendship (fellowship, really) we are vulnerable to the world, the flesh and the enemy’s best shot. I suspect we both know many who have been “picked off” when all they would have needed was an honest friend.
I’ve heard all the reasons why this is not cool. Hey, I’ve used all the excuses myself. This is something you and I really need. Find a mature friend to meet for coffee weekly; find a group of men (who do more than share the sports scores from the weekend); this is a big deal. If you are doing this, keep it up and good for you. If not, a warning: there’s a sniper on the adjacent roof and he’s got your heart in his sights.
Prayer for today (out loud): “Lord, forgive me for going it alone. I confess my need for real fellowship, with You first, and also with other men. Lead me to find a real friend or group with whom I will grow. In the name of the real (God) man, Jesus Christ. Amen”
