Men need ceremony. Milestones of masculinity that are demarcation lines between Boyhood & Godly Manhood.

I have been apart of a few of these holy moments of masculine ceremony. One of them was last week with my band of brothers. You can meet them in the Band of Brothers Part 1 & Part 2 podcasts.

Mens desires are simple. We desire respect and honor within a masculine community.  We desire affirmation within a masculine community. We aspire to be seen as we truly are, glorious heroes within God’s story. Ceremony calls us out and up to the high calling of living out our God given redeemed masculine identity. Ceremony celebrates and recognizes our unique contribution to the world.

We need big and bold ceremonies to etch in our minds and hearts this truth. We no longer belong to the “kingdom of darkness”, we belong to “the Kingdom of the Beloved Son”- Col1:13.  God has a unique role for us to play in His kingdom. God wants us and desires us in His kingdom. God is glad to give us “a new robe and a party” in His kingdom.

Ceremony reminds us we are being groomed to be trustworthy ‘kings’ within God’s kingdom. Our father God is doing all that is needed to train us to fulfill the full  breath and scope of his calling on our lives.  “The primary work of God is finding men to whom He can entrust His power”- Dallas Willard

Ceremony celebrates the process of God entrusting his power to his Sons. We brave Sons, who are “a little lower than the angels and crowned ..with glory and honor.” Ps. 8:5