Here are 4 essential relationships every man needs to become who God has created him to be:
- Sonship - This is all about our identity in Christ. Jesus didn’t just forgive our sins when He died on the cross. Although that’s amazing, that’s just the beginning. His sacrifice allowed us to be fully adopted into God’s family as a new creation. When we are rooted and established in the unconditional love of our Heavenly Father, everything changes, and we begin to boldly give and receive love and honor as confident sons in the Father's household.
- Mentors - These are the ones who encourage, comfort, challenge, correct, and teach us. Our response is to heed their wise counsel, and imitate their lives as they follow Christ. Mentors are older and wiser men who can speak to things from a perspective that gives us a better view to see our lives from and make good decisions. This is one of the most challenging relationships for men to find. It requires intentionality AND humility.
- Disciples - Find the people around you who are teachable, humble, eager to learn and want to follow and obey Jesus. These are the ones you invest your primary energy and time into, rehearsing the Gospel and the ways of Jesus with them in shared life rhythms. If you neglect this, you aren't in step with Jesus’ expectations of being one of his disciples. You will also never really mature in your character because we grow by giving of ourselves in service to others, and the joyful suffering of laying our lives down for others. For Fathers, it’s easy. Your children!
- Brothers - Build a few deep friendships rather than an abundance of surface level relationships. Think depth, not width. These are your true blue brothers who will go the extra mile for you. Daniel with Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego, David & Jonathan, Peter, James & John, Paul & Barnabas, these are some good examples of the kind of brotherhood we need to thrive as men of God. This can be especially difficult for men in today’s culture. We are isolated and busy, and easily distracted by a lot of stuff that really doesn’t matter. But I’ve learned first hand that cultivating a brotherhood can be done if you make it a high priority and commit to it even when the calendar is full. The rewards are well worth it.
Which relationships are strong in your life right now? Which ones are weak? Do a prayerful reflection and ask God to help you identify who you should invest in. Then begin the work!
