MThis past weekend, I attended a Men's Retreat out in LA. These men come from all over the US and now (most of them) live in LA. They're in the Industry, they're teachers, they're writers, they're businessmen but, moreover, they have put their faith in Jesus Christ as the Lord of their lives.
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I came knowing just a handful of people (most of whom I met only a year ago at an event) and, frankly, didn't really know what to expect. I have been to my fair share of "fall retreats" with college ministries and they are all very similar; that is not inherently a good or a bad thing. Perhaps it's the time of life college students are in that don't allow them to see a bigger picture but what I do know is this weekend was life changing.
I have never, in my nearly 24 years on this earth, been around such a likeminded group of Christian men who ferociously and vivaciously live out the Gospel in every day life. I mean, this is LA. Isn't everyone supposed to be super vain, above reproach and already perfect? While there's always those who do fatefully fall into the same stereotype category, these men did not.
Worship was not a show. It was a single guitarist/singer who had a heart to lead people in worship. It was a celebration of gratitude.
The sermons, though very different stylistically, were beautifully and Gospel centrically conveyed.
And the stories. Oh the vulnerability! Blown. Away.
Men are "supposed" to be hard/unemotional beings who guard things in their hearts and never let anyone see them cry. This group of men have weaved a blanket of absolute trust, love and support where anyone and everyone can come speak their true heart. Sometimes that comes in the form of verbalizing sin to confess to the body. Sometimes it's an expression of hurt wherein the body huddles around to pray over, hug on and encourage one another.
This is Christian manhood.
And I found it in LA.
So why am I sharing this testimony? Glad you asked.
Men of God are called to be leaders spiritually, physically and emotionally. In order to do this well, we men need to be unified as a body too.
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) says, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
We need vulnerability as men. We need to know that other men will affirm us in more than just "you're so jacked, bro!" or "you must be so good at your job!"
So, who is your group of men, Christian? Who are you surrounded by? Do you have mentors? Fellow Brothers in Christ whom are also at similar place in life as you? I encourage you to find that group. Perhaps it IS a college ministry or maybe it's a group which means outside of a specific group or church. However it manifests, embrace it, prioritize it and, how the healing, growing and rawness of this weekend rocked me, you too will have your world changed.
Cheers,
ZER
