COURAGEOUS

I had the blessed opportunity last night to go see a screening of Sherwood's new movie Courageous.  It will not be released into theaters until September 30, but I know the Lord's hand is all over this film and He is doing great things with it and through it already.
The movie is a movie to challenge husbands and fathers to rise up and be men of courage. Courage in being a Godly husband and courage in being a Godly father takes a willingness to every day lay down selfish motives and put those others first. To look at time wasting habits we have and decide to do what God calls us to do in rearranging our priorities. We need to be willing to show our kids and our spouses that we love them, not just by our words, but especially through our actions!

Another theme to the movie that I believe is essential in our growth in Christ is brotherhood/accountability. It was very cool to have been able to see this movie with the first guy God ever put in my life to help me with and show me what Christian accountability actually looks like. Although the pace of life has somewhat drifted us apart, I know this movie has impacted and challenged us both to strengthen our accountability with each other, and also with other guys that God has brought into our circles. One of Satan's favorite tactics is to make us think we have to battle through life alone because opening up and being vulnerable is just too risky and too scary.  I assure you that in attempting to do life alone with no accountability, you have a higher risk of Satan being able to keep you in a box and ultimately take you down one phase at a time.

Please also know that I am not saying that other people are the answer.  Jesus Christ is the only answer and the only way to have complete freedom from sin and live a purposeful life by following His footsteps. Accepting His blood and His sacrifice, and choosing to live a life wholeheartedly committed to being more like Christ each day is our calling. No family member, friend, or brother in Christ will ever be good enough to help you through life on their own accord. But there are family members, friends, and brothers in Christ that God has intentionally sent into your life to help check and challenge your thoughts and your actions. If you don't have this in your life right now, then begin praying that God will send those folks your way.  It will take somebody having enough courage to say, hey we need to do this. We need to meet and start building a bond and a trust so that we can do life together and be trusting enough to share the ugliness in our lives, yet also be one to speak Truth when Truth needs to be spoken.

So again, Sept 30th. Mark your calendar and I recommend all husbands and dads go see this movie! Take a buddy with you. I assure you that you will leave the theater challenged and motivated to not just "be good enough", but "be the best" that you can be because it's what God expects and commands. 

Being courageous with your life is just one more element of trying to live more like Jesus. Where are the courageous men willing to step up? Will you raise your hand and say "I will?"