“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.” (Ezekiel 22:30)
This verse is illustrative of a challenge seen in the church today. There’s an all-out assault on masculinity in our nation…we’re told it’s “toxic.” The battle has bled into the church. While we should be standing in the gap, we’re AWOL instead.
Paul reminds Timothy that we are to endure hardships “like a good soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3). But rather than serving as good soldiers, many men in the church have abandoned our important posts.
George Washington’s call to fortitude among his rag-tag troops before their move on Dorchester is relevant to us today: “As the season is now fast approaching when every man must expect to be drawn into the field of action, it is highly necessary that he should prepare his mind, as well as everything necessary for it. It is a noble cause we are engaged in, it is the cause of virtue and mankind, every temporal advantage and comfort to us, and our posterity depends upon the vigor of our exertions…. But it may not be amiss for the troops to know that if any man in action shall presume to skulk, hide himself, or retreat from the enemy, without the orders of his commanding officer, he will be instantly shot down, as an example of cowardice.” (David McCullough, 1776)
The issue of men abandoning their spiritual posts was a long time in the making – it was an issue in Ezekiel’s time. It won’t be solved overnight, but we should make a valiant effort.
So, we are beginning a nine-month men’s leadership summit to work on this issue together. We’re calling it “The Gap.” The men of New Life will meet on the last Wednesday of each month from 6:30-8:00. We will worship and pray together.
I will lead a study on 1 and 2 Timothy, where we’ll discuss character, marriage, leadership, work, how to stand firm in this crazy world, and other relevant topics. We’ll also have small groups of friends to walk with throughout the rest of the month.
I’m really excited about this! I hope you’ll be there or encourage the men in your life to join us. Our first meeting will be on February 28.
See you there!
