To those at the front of the battle lines

 In church this morning it was no surprise that the sermon was geared toward the men in light of fathers day. What was a surprise was my shift in thought about the men of this world.

 

So many times I hear myself talking about the statistics between the lack of men and the abundance of women in both full time ministry and on the missions field. Proclaiming out loud, “Rise Up Men of God”. Scripture says how men are to be the spiritual leaders but I see so many women taking that role on. As my tainted heart bashes the men who have yet to take thier place, Christ Spirit in me says, what about the men who have taken their place in the front of the battle lines.

 

As a woman I don’t know the difficulties a man faces no matter how much I pretend to know. I spend so much time speaking of statistics that I forget to encourage those who have become and maintain a strong spiritual leader role. Scripture says how my role as a woman is to love, respect, and encourae, the men in my life, but I get so caught up in my own independence that I pat myself on the back instead. My boyfriend Jonathan tells me of how difficult it is to be identified as a real Godly man when so many woman have this preconcieved notion of him being not good enough, and with a past like his, they see him as a failure. That not only hurts me because I know he is a great Godly man and my best friend whom never goes a day without promising me love and protection but it convicts me because how many times have I made him feel like he just doesn’t measure up.

 

During church the pastor asked those men who are and have made a commited to die to self and to put their children, wives, friends, and all people before their own selfish desires. I admit as my head was bowed I expected to raise my head to see 10 men tops taking that oath. But when I raised my head I saw a sea of men fallin into line, preparing for battle. Even little boys holding the hands of their fathers proclaiming his still flourishing manhood. Teenage boys wanting to break free of the mold they have been so tightly put in. Older men promising to guide the boys into true manhood.

 

So this is my tribute to those men who have taken thier place in the Kingdom of God. Though my father has made mistakes just like we all do, I am not called to fix him but called to love and respect him. And so I take my place BEHIND the men of God who are called to be leaders in a generation where the ego and independence of a woman has made them appear as boys.

 

This trust me is not a easy lesson to learn, and I know I still don’t quite get it mainly because I was always taught how to be an independent self seeking woman. But what I do understand is how I feel important, worth it, beautiful, and loved when I simply get to see the smile on a mans face when I say, thank you for being a spiritual leader and thank you for laying down your life for me.