Men Need To Step Up

Today being Father's day we remember those dads who are instrumental in our lives. My dad is 84 and living near Tucson, Arizona. My dad took a strong interest in me, especially my athletics. He still remembers things from my youth that I have long since forgotten.  My father-in-law was also very special in my life. Like my dad, he took a special interest in my various software businesses. He went to be with the Lord in November, 2013 and I still miss him often.

I spend a lot of time with men as part of my ministries. I am also an observer of men in our culture. I have to say I am gravely concerned. Maybe it is me, but men seem to be much more passive today. There is a big difference between being quiet and being passive. My girls tend to be dominant personalities, so the men in their life tend to be quiet. But that does not make them passive. Passive is defined by the dictionary as "accepting or allowing what happens or what others do, without active response or resistance". Withdrawn may be a better definition. Some of this is driven by our social media culture where it is so easy to withdraw.

Men are to be the spiritual leaders in the home. They are to set an example in ministry. In our marital mentoring, rarely will the man dispute that he is to be the leader in the home. But practically they don't do it. Why? It is so easy to let the wife lead. It starts with a personal relationship with Christ. If that is not strong, they is little chance for the home to be strong. If it is strong, the family is the beneficiary of the overflow life. Guys need to be in the presence of Christ reading Scripture, meditating, and praying often.

Second, men need to hang with other men. If men are in isolation, they are especially vulnerable. They need other men for accountability and exhortation. I meet with men frequently because not only do I need them, but they need me. Pat Morley, bestselling author of books to men says he can guarantee spiritual failure if those two things are absent. It is our only hope.