I can’t think of a time in the last several decades when so many men were hurting and being tested as they are today. The economic meltdown has taken a heavy toll on not only our families and finances but on our hopes and dreams. Anxiety is widespread. Many men are retreating into isolation, confused and concerned about their identity, legacy and destiny.
In the movie Gladiator, Maximus Decimus Meridius and his fellow warriors are in the awesome Roman Coliseum standing before the Emperor and a blood thirsty crowd facing whatever enemies Caesar chooses to hurl against them. Maximus says to his men, “Whatever comes out of these gates, we’ve got a better chance of survival if we work together. If we stay together we survive. Come together. Lock your shields, stay as one! Hold!”.
In John 15;15, Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” “Nothing” doesn’t mean a little something! He means none of us can withstand the challenges that come against us on our own. We depend on His presence and power in our lives 24/7. But God also works through the brothers. He does not intend us to be “Alone Rangers”. The wolf loves the lone sheep. Satan loves “Alone Rangers”. God wants us to have “battle buddies” with whom we can do life together no matter what the enemy hurls against. We need brothers who will watch our backside, speak truth into our lives and cheer for us and affirm us in the fiercest storms.
Come join us at NCMM and be equipped and encouraged for whatever battle you’re in or heading into. Bring your “battle buddies” with you or connect to new brothers as together we experience the special camaraderie we have in Christ Jesus, who is our true identity, legacy and destiny.
© 2011, Dave Brown. Dave Brown is a pastor and the director of the Washington Area Coalition of Men’s Ministries and has been the men’s pastor at McLean Bible Church in McLean, Va. He served for 30 years in the federal government’s Senior Executive Service (SES), including eight years as an appointee of President Ronald Reagan. He did his seminary work at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He’s been a leadership consultant, university administrator and member of the board of directors for the C.S. Lewis Institute.