Men Need Purpose More
The New York Times has an article up that men centrally need a sense of purpose. Women do to, but men need more.
Does God have a purpose for each man? Sure.
When we reach out to men, we need to connect them with God’s purpose for their lives. Let me share my story.
When I was 10 or 11 in my no faith family, I had a vision of life before me. It was a blackness that I could not see through in any way.
Men Need Purpose – I Was/Am One of Them
It was disconcerting and even frightening. I did not like the vision and turned away from it. However, I can still feel it while I write this. I cannot help but weep that God called me out and gave me his work and showed me I belong. He vanquished my darkness.
In 8th grade, I turned to Matthew 12 and started to read one chapter each night. Two weeks later I fell on these verses.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
When I was 17, I memorized these verses along with many others. However, Matthew 28:18-20 was a key verse in my heart. I did not come to Christ as a sinner in need of repentance.
I came to faith as a growing child in need of a purpose and path to overcome the blackness I felt. That was my crying need. How many other young and old men long for a purpose? and we have it for them.
Yes, I accepted I was a sinner, but only years later did I realize how much I need the Savior. At first, I found a King of power and wisdom who knew me. Is it not God himself who knows our purpose? Who will ordain us for his work? I will never know myself as much as God does. Therefore, He is the one who gives us purpose that will carry us on our life’s adventure.