Twenty Years With Valiant Men!
/I was hesitant back in December 2003 when Paul asked if I’d be part of a new men’s ministry. I never considered myself a man’s man. I was not, nor never had been, an athlete, didn’t play golf, only followed sports sporadically, would rather be by myself reading or writing than hanging out with other people, didn’t hunt or own a gun, rarely went fishing, and was totally indifferent about NASCAR. And I have more pens and notepads than tools in my pickup. I said I would gladly be part of the new men’s ministry, but I didn’t think I should teach or lead it, since everything I did at the time I ended up the teacher. I worried I was teaching too much and listening too little.
When Paul told me they were going to start by going through the Wild at Heart materials I knew I was full in. I would be leading and teaching. Paul knew it, too.
What happened next is summed up by this quote from Mark Batterson’s book, Wild Goose Chase: “Nothing is more unnerving or disorienting than passionately pursuing God. He will take you places you never could have imagined going by paths you never knew existed.”
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This past Saturday evening we celebrated twenty years of that same men’s ministry, which became known as Iron Men. It’s grown into a band of like-minded men dedicated to helping each other live solid, godly lives as leaders, husbands, fathers, and grandfathers. As John, one of our current members, recently said, “We are each other’s coaches.”
The name of our group, Iron Men, comes from Proverbs 27:17 that says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” But sharpening each other isn’t all we do. We also smooth each other. We’re like old wooden-handled tools that show the wear of constant use, the smoothed portions worn smooth by the hands that used them. Our constant contact with each other wears away the rough spots leaving us with the pattern of our fellow valiant men. The older I get the more I look forward to being worn smooth by these men.
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Why a 20th-anniversary party? I believe churches should celebrate successes more often, to remember of the work of God among us. We should find joy in longevity, and gratitude in long obedience in the same direction. We should have more parties.
We scattered copies of all the books we’ve gone through in Iron Men during those twenty years as table decorations, and each book drew memories from the men. We told stories and laughed the entire evening. It was great!
I was reminded of a Bible story about a young man named Saul who lived a small life tending the family flocks until God called him out to be the first king of Israel. I Samuel 10:26 says, “Saul went to his house in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched.” Before he became the king, Saul was all alone. But afterward, he was surrounded by valiant men. I realized I was like Saul, surrounded by valiant men whose hearts God had touched.
Twenty years ago God gave me a gift I didn’t request or expect or even understand. He gave me the Iron Men, and they are the finest men I have ever known.
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“I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free.” Psalm 119:32
