Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring (sea) lion, seeking someone to devour. ~1 Peter 5:8
The Cabo San Lucas fishing trip started off with a bang with double hook-ups. My friend Rick boated his fish first and the longer I fought mine the more I questioned my manhood. But I quickly realized that this was not only a bigger fish but also different species. As I fought it to the boat, was about to see color, and our young deck hand had the gaff in hand when, a few feet from the boat, a brown flash caught my attention as it broke the surface.
"Dang it!" I mourned. "It's over!"
"What are you talking about?" Rick questioned.
But I was wrong. It was just beginning as a four hundred pound sea lion sounded and hit my fish! The giant mammal spooled the line as it ripped into my fish. I fought that lion until my hands cramped, abdominals were rod-bruised, and the lion had taken its bounty. Thirty minutes later and with much help from our deck hand, we gaffed the head of what would have been a trophy, Amber Jack.
We'd been ripped off!
In that moment I understood Jesus' warning, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10a).
A Church and culture devaluing men have ripped us off. If you don't believe me, then check out your church's annual budget. Of all people groups in your church whose line item is the least—by far? Is it women, children, teenagers, seniors? It's the men.
Watch movies or television. Who is vilified? Who is mocked? When a woman fights a man in the movies, who wins? Right again aren't I?
Let's agree with this truth. In many circumstances, males are the problem—not men. Adult males parading around as men are the root of the pain, but men are the solution, real men.
When a man gets it—everyone wins!
When a man gets it—everyone wins!
Are you going sit on your backside as vocal misandrists, impotent men, and effeminate spiritual leaders rip you off? Or, will you dig the rod into your hips, tighten the drag, and start fighting against the forces trying to rob you of your God-given right to love your wife well, lead your children now, and live your life out loud?
Start reeling!
