Man up versus Man enough

Waiting for the Lord’s coming.

By Dr Masimba Mavaza

The Men’s Retreat has reached another level with many guests arriving.

The morning started with great zeal. Elder Keith Lewis kick started the program and coordinated the program in an organised blessed manner. Pastor Simba Muhau made a majestic entrance in his African attire looking more like Oga Gozi Elumogo. He was met at the entrance by Sekuru Pastor Calvin Mazengwe. In every men’s gathering there are late comers. Elder Honoured Mamvura manned up as he walked in late with confidence. What is your insight about Christ’s Second coming when you were just a boy and now being a mature man? Elder Edwin Abacan asked as he delivered Sabbath School Lesson.

Elder Edwin Abacan shared five challenges of men. The first one is man does not know himself. The world now does not know what a man is. Is a man only an image of God. This is indeed a challenge because we do not know what is a man. A man is a protector and advisor a provider. While now women are earning more than men, men’s roles are changing.

Within the church the biblical definition of man has been shifting. Men have greater demands on their time. Men needs to navigate through these difficulties and become elected man at home. Elder Edwin referred the men to Genesis 12 :7 Genesis 13:18. Men must build an alter of God first in his life. Men are vulnerable to money sex pride envy and lust.

For us to be men enough we need to have self control as men.

It became clear that Western culture embraces confusion and dumps those who stand upright in their positions into the dust bin of social misfits. Men are now with no boundaries no absolute truth. As elected men how do we man up in a world with no boundaries, more individualised values, and where confusion is the norm?

Men have to be dressed in courage and should stand up and be counted. Today’s men are easily pleased with material things forgetting their higher calling. What is man’s dominant emotion? For many men anger is the only emotion they have learned to express more dominant when they are not in the right mood. Men must learn how to express their emotions. Be proud of what you have and yearn to have more. But control your emotions as to be able to control your families emotions. The biggest threat facing men is loneliness. It has been linked to heart problems strokes.

In all these are we men enough to wait for the coming of Jesus. In this meeting can you find a moment and be alone in prayer.
“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” -Matthew 14:23 (NIV)
Some people load their days with activities, clutter their calendars with appointments and fill the air with music — anything to drown out the sounds of silence. Which is too bad, really.
Because God often speaks in a still, small voice — the kind heard only in moments of silence (see 1 Kings 19:11–13).
You will discover two occasions in Matthew 14 when Jesus left the crowds and retired to a quiet place to pray. Men must have the time to withdraw and seek the lord in silence.

Dr Nganunu said “By going to the mountain he was seeking a time of prayer free from interruption.
“We all know how easily prayer can be quenched by the least distraction.
“Although Christ did not suffer from this weakness, he warned us by his example to be careful to disengage our minds from the snares of the world, so that we may be carried up to heaven.
“The most important thing is solitude. Those who pray with God as their only witness will be more watchful, will pour forth their hearts to him, and will examine themselves more carefully.”

Men for the sake of their families must Walk Closer to God. Silence. How often do you experience it? What priority do you give it? Take a retreat be alone with men and talk to God in a relaxed quiet place.
Jesus left the accolades of the crowds and climbed a mountain. There he prayed until “shortly before dawn” (Matthew 14:25). Jesus was committed to prayer!
God hears your hurried prayers. But he yearns for you to give him an uncluttered slice of your time, free from the distractions of your busy day.
It will seldom happen by accident. In fact, you may have to turn off your cell phone, walk away from your computer, rearrange your schedule. But what a small price to pay to “be still, and know” God (Psalm 46:10)!

Join the men’s retreat and learn the spirit of fighting for your family casting your burdens to the Lord.
Emmanuel Mtindi blessed the men with angelic voice packed singing with Elder Danny Muhwati making sure the PA system remained perfect.