Lessons from a Man Cave

Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:9)
The role of a Christian father is more important in today's world than ever before. It seems it is a different role than in earlier generations.  Dad is no longer "lord of the castle." Hopefully, however, he has not been reduced to being another of the vassals.  Today's father hears today that he needs to be more nurturing of his children, supportive of his wife, and yet at the same time provide the spiritual leadership of the home that the Bible accords to fathers.

The truth is, just what that role is may be difficult to define. Manhood is in a state of confusion for a variety of factors:

• The changing role of women in our society has greatly confused men who were raised in a different culture.
• Our increasingly feminized culture has emasculated the role and identity men are naturally made to fulfill.  The result has been the creation of the soft male who is indecisive as to direction and weak in leadership.
• There is no masculine role defined by the 21st century in the models paraded before men in media and culture.  Those guys getting spa treatments and tracking whether they are a "spring" or "fall" color are not that prevalent after all.

The “masculine meltdown” has confused not only men but women as well as they are pressed to release what are termed “traditional” roles they were raised to fulfill. 

Confused men create many problems in society. Some of them are:

• Spiritually Complacent
• Disappointed with Life
• Emotionally Isolated
• Mostly Friendless
• Frustrated Leaders

The instinctive, God-given qualities of a man under God’s control can bring peace, stability and righteousness to a family; out of God’s control, those same qualities become tools for the destruction of both families and society. 

• The God-given wisdom and power to lead and provide for their families become tools for a tyrant; controlling, not leading, his family.
• The God-given love that sacrifices itself for the ones he loves becomes selfish jealousy and self-satisfying passion. 
• The God-given bond of loyalty and friendship turns to the using of others to achieve personal gain. 
• The God-given initiative to protect and provide are lost to laziness and complaining about the failures of others

The loss of identity and role has led to passivity rather than a responsibility to fatherhood has deeply endangered our nation.   Men have retreated to their “man caves”.  They will find, however, that God is there when they become still enough to listen.

Scripture to Claim:
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6