Where are the MEN?

John Wesley, the English theologian and evangelist once said, “Give me 100 men that hate nothing but sin, and love Jesus Christ, and we'll shake England for God.”

I love this quote for several reasons and I believe that it’s just as powerful, important, and true today as it was over 300 years ago.

Wesley did not mince any words. He was not trying to make any friends with this quote. He said what needed to be said at a time where his culture and community cared more about political rivalries than the Kingdom of God and the fight for the souls of men. He spoke the truth with no apology. Sometimes in life we need to do the same. Instead of skirting issues, staying passive, and being quiet, we need to call forward and call out what is right, true, and virtuous. It’s been said, "If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything." There is a way to speak the truth in love. There is a way to walk in both grace and truth. If Jesus could, and we have his Holy Spirit living inside of our lives, then his followers can do it too.

Another thing that I appreciate about John Wesley is that he calls out "men" and not "boys." I see lots of men acting like boys. There is not a day that goes by that I hear of a “boy” making excuses for passivity, irresponsible decisions, and neglectful behavior. Perhaps these were some of the weaknesses Wesley witnessed back in his day, and clearly, they’re still a problem today.

Passive: I have counseled numerous couples, led my fair share of small groups, and attended plenty of men's outings and conferences. The same issue keeps coming up over and over. I hear wives tell me: "I wish he would talk more.” "I wish he cared more." "He's just so cold.” "He responds with grunts rather than words." "I want his opinion on things and he just has nothing to say.” Passive. Quiet. Lack of luster. Lost. Dazed. Unseen. Unheard. Forgotten.

Irresponsible. Sadly, there are guys who can’t hold down a job or who change them like socks. They have no money in savings and nothing to account for with all these years of working. Irresponsible with time and money and spends too much or are too greedy to spend at all. The idea of moderation and men do not go together. Many men cannot stop drinking, eating, playing video games, and looking at porn. Irresponsible. We are falling apart and we are numb to this reality. We are addicted to adrenaline boosts and fantasy. We either seek the highs of life with irresponsible spending and living or we seek the lows of life, numbing ourselves on beer and weed. Irresponsible.

Neglectful. Gone. Out of the picture. Not around. Works too hard or too little. Neglectful of our children(s) and our marriages. Neglectful in the most important areas of life. Never home. How many times do I need to keep hearing this same ol’ thing?

"Where's your dad?" Oh he was never around.

"Where's your dad?" He works all the time.

"Where's your dad?" He got something going on this weekend.

"He says he'll play with me...later."

"He said he would be right back.”

"I do not know where he is.”

"I never knew my dad."

"He left when I was young."

"I do not know when he will be home."

"He forgot to pick me up."

“He said we would go hiking.”

"He's been late 10 times. We had to let him go."

"He was a no show, no call."

Passive. Irresponsible. Neglectful. These adjectives unfortunately describe many men today. My gender. This is the tribe I am in and we are deeply failing in most areas.

"Give me 100 men that hate nothing but sin, and love Jesus Christ, and we'll shake England for God."

Just give me 100 men that hate sin and love Jesus. Or, just fifty men that hate sin and love Jesus. Better yet, just twenty five men that despise sin and love Jesus. Ten men. Five men. One man. Just give me one man who loves Jesus and hates sin. What is this Sodom and Gomorrah?

Is there not one man who will love Jesus and hate sin? Is God not roaming around the earth looking, seeking, asking, probing, and searching.... for just one man who loves Him?

He is searching for a tough and tender man.

He is searching for a humble and contrite heart.

He is searching for integrity.

He is searching for godliness.

He is searching for humility.

He is searching for faithful, playful, present, joyful, men…

WILL HE FIND ANY?