Men of Honor Thoughts

Today I was checking out a cross reference in 2 Corinthians and for some reason I just kept reading. “Some reason” just happened to be the leading of the Holy Spirit. I came across this little nugget in 2 Corinthians 7:13 – “And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all (NKJV).” Wow. What does that say about a body of believers? Let’s think about what Paul was saying here.

He was saying that Titus was refreshed. What does it mean to be refreshed? Well, have you ever worked out in the yard in the heat of the day in the middle of the summer? You get hot. And you get tired. And exhausted. And did I mention hot? If you’re not rehydrating yourself, you begin to move slower and slower. You’re dragging and your strength just isn’t there like it used to be. Ah, but what happens when you get a big glass of ice water? Or when you jump in the pool? You can feel your body temperature begin to drop. You are being refreshed. You are being taken from a state of discomfort and exhaustion to a state of freshness, energy and strength.

The Greek word for “has been refreshed” is anapauō which means “to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labor in order to recover and collect his strength.” That’s exactly what it’s like in the life of a Christian. As we go through our lives the weight of the world begins to drag us down. It makes us tired. We face so many obstacles and so many snares and so many temptations and so much sin that we find our spirits being exhausted. And if we are discipling anyone and pouring our lives into them then we find that it takes a lot out of us. But to find the person, or the people that will help you rest and recover and regain your spiritual strength is invaluable.

As I sit here this morning I am thinking about our Men of Honor ministry at Summit. It’s been on sabbatical for a while and we’re gearing back up to get it cranking again this fall. Men don’t usually think in the terms above when it comes to other men. That’s usually the way that ladies think. But I am personally challenged by this passage. I believe that it is the responsibility of MOH, and the entire Church, to help refresh our brethren. When we spend time together, while it should be fun, that should not be the main goal. Our main goal should be to help each other become refreshed by the Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Before we can look to others around us we must understand that it is our responsibility as leaders of our homes to ensure that we do whatever we can to refresh our families first. That is our primary responsibility. Are we leading our children first toward a personal relationship with Christ, and second, toward a deeper understanding and a closer walk with Him? Are we praying with our wives and engaging in Bible study or at least discussion of what we may be going through in our quiet times? Are we making decisions and spiritually leading those that Christ has blessed us with and entrusted to us?

It is only after we are refreshing our families that we should look to helping others. As we gather in social settings, in Bible study, in worship or whatever other arena we may enter, we should be lifting each other up. Each of us struggle with various things. But the beauty of a family is that where some struggle, others excel. Your weakness may be another’s strength. Refreshment comes with humble openness and humble help. Lest we fall into pride, we must always remember that it is but for the grace of God that we can experience proficiency or victory over anything.

So my question to you is simple. Are you refreshing anyone? Are you allowing God to work through your life to touch others and build them back up to regain their strength? It’s a difficult task and one that can only be done when we are truly seeking the face of the Almighty and giving Him the entirety of our lives. It is only then that we can experience the blessing of becoming His hands.