Walking Among the Graveyards of Men
Men need to be “awakened.” This *awakening of desire* is a work of the Holy Spirit — often through the testimony and sacrificial action of other men that’s so challenges the one who has been asleep that they suddenly open their eyes and experience a new reality. And they suddenly realize they’ve been “sleeping in their life” for a long time.
The bottom line is…we men are longing for the full life in God — the life of love and adventure — the mission of redemption.
May God use each of us men to awaken the desire in other men’s hearts toward the journey of manhood in Christ that He is calling us to.
Imagine yourself on the dusty roadside outside of the small village of Bethany and Jesus himself walks by and suddenly he looks you right in the eyes…and from that moment, you are known! You are exposed!
What a terrifying thing to have another man know everything you’ve ever done — all the dark history of your past — and all the weaknesses of your present.
But also, in that moment, you are loved.
In His all-knowing gaze that penetrates your soul, you are accepted like you’ve never been accepted before in your life. And after he draws near to you he actually touches you and you are engulfed and deeply immersed in the strong arms and the chest of another man as he embraces you, calls you by name, and speaks into your ear the words “My son, I love you.”
From that moment you will follow Him for the rest of your life. It won’t be a struggle. It’s not even a question. There’s no place you would rather go.
The calling of the God is related to the depth of the love of Jesus. We can never separate the two. If we do we will pressure ourselves into dutiful responsibilities, thinking that this is the way to be a “good man,” a “religious man” or to impress others. That is an exhausting life. That is hard labor. That is a heavy burden. That is continuing the “try and fail, try and fail” viscous cycle of spiritual exhaustion.
That is what eventually leads many men to stop their journey on this road, of life and simply sit down. From that moment life becomes about survival, and simply wondering what “could’ve been.” From that moment onward, a Christian is merely waiting for death, and hoping for better things in the next life. And unbeknownst to him he has entered into the slow bondage of a passionless life.
But then that Carpenter from Nazareth comes striding down the very road upon which you are sitting — with men next to him, and many following him, and the strangest noise can be heard from 50 meters away…the sound of men’s laughter.
Coming closer now you can see an honesty between them as they look at each other and put their hand on each other’s shoulders. And as they walk just 10 meters away you can hear them talking — about real life.
There’s hope in their eyes. There’s truth in their smiles. They know where they’re going… they’re walking with Jesus. It’s not about a destination, it’s about an adventure, a journey, a new kingdom, a new reality… God with them.
This is the awakening of desire. This is what all men’s hearts long for. Knowing the son of God, walking with the son of man, enjoying that relationship and joining him in the battle for the redemption of souls, this is our calling.
So where are you? — on the side of the road looking down at small stones on the path? Looking up and seeing Jesus from far away not really sure what he’s like? Are you curious what his men are really talking about? Have you seen his eyes fixed on yours? Have you been exposed — does he know all your dark history? Has his love in that gaze, penetrated into your heart and melted all your defenses? Have you felt the embrace of his marvelous love? Have you embraced him? Are you walking on the journey with him?
This man, Jesus, conquered life, conquered death, and conquered the grave. One of his great works is to wake people up… even from the dead. But he also does this spiritually and emotionally when we allow ourselves to fall asleep, as men — lying flat rather than climbing in the mountains of life.
I can testify that there is nothing like walking with him for days, years, and decades. We become real. And we learn what real life is all about far away from the graveyard.
The bottom line is…we men are longing for the full life in God — the life of love and adventure — the mission of redemption.
May God use each of us men to awaken the desire in other men’s hearts toward the journey of manhood in Christ that He is calling us to.
Imagine yourself on the dusty roadside outside of the small village of Bethany and Jesus himself walks by and suddenly he looks you right in the eyes…and from that moment, you are known! You are exposed!
What a terrifying thing to have another man know everything you’ve ever done — all the dark history of your past — and all the weaknesses of your present.
But also, in that moment, you are loved.
In His all-knowing gaze that penetrates your soul, you are accepted like you’ve never been accepted before in your life. And after he draws near to you he actually touches you and you are engulfed and deeply immersed in the strong arms and the chest of another man as he embraces you, calls you by name, and speaks into your ear the words “My son, I love you.”
From that moment you will follow Him for the rest of your life. It won’t be a struggle. It’s not even a question. There’s no place you would rather go.
The calling of the God is related to the depth of the love of Jesus. We can never separate the two. If we do we will pressure ourselves into dutiful responsibilities, thinking that this is the way to be a “good man,” a “religious man” or to impress others. That is an exhausting life. That is hard labor. That is a heavy burden. That is continuing the “try and fail, try and fail” viscous cycle of spiritual exhaustion.
That is what eventually leads many men to stop their journey on this road, of life and simply sit down. From that moment life becomes about survival, and simply wondering what “could’ve been.” From that moment onward, a Christian is merely waiting for death, and hoping for better things in the next life. And unbeknownst to him he has entered into the slow bondage of a passionless life.
But then that Carpenter from Nazareth comes striding down the very road upon which you are sitting — with men next to him, and many following him, and the strangest noise can be heard from 50 meters away…the sound of men’s laughter.
Coming closer now you can see an honesty between them as they look at each other and put their hand on each other’s shoulders. And as they walk just 10 meters away you can hear them talking — about real life.
There’s hope in their eyes. There’s truth in their smiles. They know where they’re going… they’re walking with Jesus. It’s not about a destination, it’s about an adventure, a journey, a new kingdom, a new reality… God with them.
This is the awakening of desire. This is what all men’s hearts long for. Knowing the son of God, walking with the son of man, enjoying that relationship and joining him in the battle for the redemption of souls, this is our calling.
So where are you? — on the side of the road looking down at small stones on the path? Looking up and seeing Jesus from far away not really sure what he’s like? Are you curious what his men are really talking about? Have you seen his eyes fixed on yours? Have you been exposed — does he know all your dark history? Has his love in that gaze, penetrated into your heart and melted all your defenses? Have you felt the embrace of his marvelous love? Have you embraced him? Are you walking on the journey with him?
This man, Jesus, conquered life, conquered death, and conquered the grave. One of his great works is to wake people up… even from the dead. But he also does this spiritually and emotionally when we allow ourselves to fall asleep, as men — lying flat rather than climbing in the mountains of life.
I can testify that there is nothing like walking with him for days, years, and decades. We become real. And we learn what real life is all about far away from the graveyard.
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