by Theodore Telepak

Created on: June 28, 2008

"Daunting Ordinary Holiness for Men"

There is a scene from the Disney movie, "The Incredibles", may portray what many men today feel like. Now known as "Bob", "Mr. Incredible" sits cramped behind his work desk, listening to an endless customer service complaint, shoulders slumped and eyes hopelessly resigned to this life of ambiguity.

Mr. Incredible' means well enough to provide for his family, but in relinquishing his true identity, he is lost. He aimlessly stares off into oblivion wondering if this is what he is really meant to do. Deep down inside he knows what is right and honorable, and can't stop himself from speaking the truth or offering empathy to this old lady who begs for his help, even at the risk of losing his job. This is the least he can do. But it is not enough. He remembers what incredible' strength he has been given, and from this, the incredible' things he has done. He still knows who he really is and longs to become this person once again.

Sound familiar? Does this 'look' like you? Do you ever feel like this?

Does this epitomize your life as a man? We men aren't like Mr. Incredible', or are we?

Ordinary holiness for men'? Male spirituality? Men's spirituality? Where do I find it? What does it look like? How does it happen? What difference does it make?

I have thought and prayed about what men want and what men need. Here is what God has put on my heart.

I find it interesting that in the book of Nehemiah, the walls surrounding the holy city of Jerusalem are to be rebuilt, and the prophet, Nehemiah "stations guards down below, behind the wall, near the exposed points, assigning them by family groups with their swords, their spears, and their bows" (Neh 4:7). What are they guarding? Why at the exposed points? Why by family groups? Why with weapons?

He writes in the following verses, "Have no fear! Keep in mind the Lord, who is great and to be feared, and fight for your brethren, your sons and daughters, you wives and your homes. When our enemies became aware that we had been warned and that God had upset their plan, we all went back, each to his own task at the wall. From that time on, however, only half my able men took a hand in the work, while the other half, armed with spears, bucklers, bows, and breastplates, stood guard behind the whole house of Judah as they rebuilt the wall. Each did his work with one hand and held a weapon in the other."

Doesn't this characterize us, as men, today?

As men we are practical. Fix it. Does The Home Depot ever

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>