The Forged Man: Always Come Back for the Girl

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena." — Theodore Roosevelt

One thing of many that I love about Brad is that He WILL follow God, and the great adventure of Faith God has planned for all of us, although different, WILL be an adventure.

Time and time again, Brad has led us into new situations, unchartered territory, new ideas, all in attempting our utmost for His highest. And I've loved every bit.

Yes there have been scary moments where I think, "remind me: why are we doing this?".

But the results have been a deeper, more hands-on understanding of God's Word, experiencing the blessed life Proverbs repeatedly talks about in our family, ministry and business, and rich, meaningful relationships. What's not to love?

He has been eager to follow God but also willing to apply what he was being shown, no matter how uncomfortable or new. Yielded. Growing.

But it started because Brad was willing to be the man who is actually in the arena.

What does this look like?

Years ago we heard Mark Gungor teach on marriage, and he said "guys, go out and slay dragons and take new territory, but always come back for the girl."

For us, Brad circles back, and brings me into the new territory he's taken through thought and study, and he'll show me around the new ideas, how they will affect our future, and how we can pass them on to others, especially our kids and grandkids, and those God has given to us.

Then he asks for my input and gives me a chance to add in what I see.

Why do I share this around Father's Day?

Brad reminds me that when we build strong men, we've started an epic chain reaction.

Strong men build strong marriages.

Strong marriages build strong families.

Strong families make up strong spiritual and civic communities, then cities and nations.

That's the kind of God-sized vision we all need.

ARE YOU A MAN READING THIS?

You're the key.

Get in the arena.

Please lead.

God will lead you every step. He will strengthen you. Just rise to the occasion every time, messy, bloody and go get some scars.

Build yourself a band of brothers.

Just keep rising.

We need you.

And if you're stuck, ask God for help and ask another man to walk with you.

But you weren't meant to do this alone, so circle back for your girl!

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7 (ESV)

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 (KJV)

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13–14 (ESV)

“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.”
Psalm 112:1–2 (NKJV)

WHICH LEADS ME TO THE WOMEN:

Ladies, you have the power to make or break your man.

Like the bride of Christ, say yes to him when he invites you into the journey and the plan.

Let him lead you.

Let him love you.

Build him up. Help him come up with a plan if that's not his forte.

Bring who you are to the table and put all your amazing gifts to work for him and your family.

Meditate on the verses below and let God shape your inner picture of your relationship with your man. Who you are and who he is in God's sight - then align to that.

Be yielded and easy to live with.

“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”
Proverbs 14:1 (KJV)

“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
Proverbs 31:11-12 (KJV)

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26 (ESV)

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.”
Proverbs 31:10 (ESV)

“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’”
Genesis 2:18 (ESV)

So today, men, I pray you receive a picture from God of His vision for your life, a big, bold and ambitious picture that will take your whole life to fulfill, and the very practical next steps for you and your family's future.

I call out the Man of God in you.

If God be for you, who can be against you?

Amen.

IF YOU'RE READY FOR THE NEXT STEP...

If you're a man reading this and thinking, "I know I'm called to more, but I'm not sure where to start," Brad recently created FORGED with you in mind.

It's a practical, biblical resource designed to help men grow stronger in their walk with God, their leadership, their marriages, and their families.

Because strong men don't happen by accident.

They are forged through challenge, obedience, faith, and perseverance.

If you're ready to step into the arena and become the man God has called you to be, we'd love to invite you to check it out.