Bible Passage: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” (Acts 13:2)
Scripture Reading: Acts 13:1-52
Men do hard things, but they don’t have to do them alone.
It’s hard for us to imagine just how “foolish” the brand-new Gospel sounded in the first century (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). Paul didn’t flinch in acknowledging this, nor did he flinch at his calling to proclaim it.
What else could he do? He’d previously been the self-designated leader of suppressing this tiny cult until he powerfully encountered Jesus on the Damascus road, was struck blind, called into ministry, and then healed (Acts 9:1-43).
An aspect of traditional masculinity that needs to be celebrated is that men do hard things.
An aspect of modern masculinity that needs to change is the presumption that men don’t have many friends.
What if guy friends did hard things together, along with God?
When we get to Acts chapter 13, we see that God sent out Gospel witnesses in small groups.
Have you ever read the book of Acts through the lens of friendship? We often hear stories of how soldiers who go to war together deeply bond with their brothers-in-arms.
Can you imagine the friendship that Saul and Barnabas developed in the trenches of preaching a “foolish” Gospel in the Roman Empire?
Their journey takes them to Paphos, where they confront a Jewish sorcerer, and Saul strikes him blind in the power of the Spirit.
Imagine enduring persecution together (“Remember that time we got beaten?”) and together experiencing being “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52).
I’m not suggesting their friendship was always easy (Acts 15:36-41); just that bonding with other men while doing the Lord’s work together is a powerful foundation for friendship.
My best friends are people I serve God with. Following Christ together is a critical aspect of our relationship. Nights spent sharing our faith, serving the Church, and seeking God together have deeply united us.
God calls men to know Him (John 15:1-17), and then to join Him. He’s calling us to do that together.
What if your best friendships were ones where you shared in both friendship with God and the mission of God together? What if God is calling men into a life of rich friendships where we’ll do hard things together with and for Him?
Prayer: Lord, I know You’re not calling us to live lonely lives. Show me which men will help me love You and follow You more closely. Thank You for the ones You’ve already brought my way. Lead us into a life of risk, courage, challenge, and dependence upon You. Amen.
Reflection: Have you ever experienced the way shared faith can bond you with other men? Have you ever followed God with another man (or men) into hard things and seen how God bonds you as you do? Is there anywhere God is leading you to do that in this coming year?
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