WILD AT HEART - Where Am I On My Journey?

Yesterday I wrapped up facilitating a 9-week journey through a book study of Wild at Heart by John Eldredge (http://www.ransomedheart.com/). My masculine journey continues, as it should, and I wanted to check back in today by answering the question, "Where am I on my journey?"

1. I'VE ANSWERED THE FATHER'S INVITATION: Back in early September 2008, when I first read Wild at Heart, I was scared. After several years of walking with God, I felt as if God the Father found me. And soon after this revelation, I heard His invitation: "Will you let Me initiate you as a man?" From where I'm at today, I can see somewhere along the line I answered, "Yes. I need You to." I'm not exactly sure where or when I answered, but I do know why -- because, as a man, I've been longing in my heart for His Fathering.

2. I'M NOT ALONE: My masculine journey is not a solitary one, for I have the presence of God as Father, the Lord Jesus as a Brother, and the wisdom and discernment of the Holy Spirit as a Counselor/Grandfather. The masculine presence of the Trinity touches the heart of this journey in ways I can't fully articulate, but I will try.

• God as Father - A sense of the fathering my Dad couldn't/wouldn't/didn't offer. A combination of love and discipline. Leading me, not dragging me. Loving me in ways I've always wanted a Father to love me...and Him seeing me in ways I've so desperately wanted to be seen.


• Christ as Brother - It comforts me to picture Jesus as my older Brother, a hero to have, a protector, a model of a man I want to be, and someone who always has time for me. My friend when all other friends are gone. Someone who shows me how it's done, the right way. Someone who will always be there to talk to, about anything.


• Holy Spirit as Counselor/Grandfather - The wise Counselor, all-knowing, patient, stern yet compassionate in showing me the ways I fall short, and the depth of wisdom I desire to attain. Someone who marvels me with the history only He knows, and tells me that I have a place in the Story. A man among men, a gentle man, a strong man who has aged well and teaches me to slow down and enjoy the process.

3. I'VE GOTTEN MY HEART BACK: In the process of discovering the message behind Wild at Heart (2001: Thomas Nelson, Inc.), I've found my heart in both battling for it and also the hearts of other men. This isn't easy -- the journey into the wilderness to find my heart has been challenging and full of emotions, risk, and sacrifice. But standing where I am on the masculine journey, I can feel my heart alive, beating strong, and desiring more than it ever has.

4. I'VE FOUND MY PLACE (FOR NOW) IN THE BATTLE: For now, my place in The Battle looks like continuing the fight for the hearts of men -- and securing my own. Some of that work is a part of men's ministry in my church. Another part is the work I involve myself with in The ManKind Project of KY (http://www.mkpky.org/). The most challenging aspect is how I deepen i my personal relationship with God. He is the One I'm a Warrior for!

5. I'M LEARNING HOW TO FIGHT: The Battle has many fronts. Free of drugs, I now fight back against the temptations of lust and pornography. Pride and ego wage a constant war against me. Spiritual complacency is another fight, as are the fears I must go hand-to-hand against with finding employment, health and financial concerns, and pursuing quite a long list of goals and desires that are pleasing to God.

There's another question to answer: "Do I have what it takes?" This is the core question in the life of every man. There are days I forget to ask it of myself. There are days I avoid the answer. And, thank God, there are days like this when He speaks the answer so clearly and strongly into this adventurous, passionate, dangerous, courageous, and wild heart He has ransomed.

And this journey continues...