True brotherhood. How do you find it? How do you cultivate it? How do you protect it?
This is one of the most common topics I get asked during our events at WILDSONS. These questions are an expression of the longing that we all have in our hearts to be part of a company of men, a special team, a band of brothers. They also reflect the pain that many of us experience as we participate in small and large gatherings but find ourselves lonely and isolated, feeling unseen, unknown and wondering what’s the role we’re supposed to play.
Belonging to a small, true brotherhood is one of the most beautiful gifts God could give any of us and one of the areas of our lives that is most opposed by the enemy of our souls.
I find that most of us do have male friendships— the guys we share adventures with, grill in the backyard and have a few drinks with, or the ones we join for our small group or Bible study. But although these are all great things and those friendships may be worth pursuing, in most cases there is something missing and whether we are aware of it or not, our hearts are longing for more... and God has much more in store for us, if we’re willing to risk.
Imagine what it would be like to belong to a special unit of sorts— a true brotherhood with a few select men that you have come to know deeply and with whom you have complete freedom to be yourself— to be transparent in the good, the bad and the ugly, knowing that you are loved, celebrated, needed, and that your brothers will be there for you no matter what. Imagine the bonds among you as you walk together, sacrifice together, bleed together, cry and laugh together in the service of a common mission where each of you plays an irreplaceable role.
We can see this in the movies that we love— the special operations unit on a mission behind enemy lines. They may be outnumbered but for the love of each other and the commitment to their mission they defeat the enemy, rescue the hostages and come back home as heroes. Or the sports team on their last chance to make history. Yes, they are the underdogs but against all odds, because of their commitment to the team and the love for each other, they leave it all on the field, win the game at the last minute to be crowned as champions, and give hope and joy back to their city.
We respond to these stories because they speak of a reality that has been written in our hearts since before we were born. It is what Jesus himself modeled for us. Yes, he addressed multitudes on several occasions, but the core of his mission was lived in the context of a small group of intimate allies and friends. They were chosen, they were seen, they were truly known. They got to do life together while sharing on the most crucial mission. They laughed together, cried together, suffered together and because of their love for Jesus and each other, and their commitment to their God-given mission, they got to play a crucial role in the greatest Story ever told.
The same could be true for each of us in our worlds today. This is God’s desire and his invitation for every one of us. He wants us to live in the context of a small, true and intimate brotherhood under his guidance and leadership. He wants to forge us as his sons in the company of brothers. It is available and it is time we recover it.
How much are you willing to risk to experience the joy and the honor of belonging to a small and intimate brotherhood? Would you be willing to trust God and dare to believe that this is his desire for you? Would you be willing to ask him to continue shaping you into the kind of man that others want to join forces with? Would you be willing to stand against fear and shame and prayerfully invite one or two men, the right men, to get together around the fire and share your stories, your desires and your current struggles openly and transparently with each other, under a vow of complete confidentiality?
For most of my life I enjoyed the company of many great friends, but didn’t experience the richness of what was available in the context of the kind of small and intimate brotherhood that I am describing. And even today, after many years of believing that it is available and experiencing it first hand I can attest to the reality of the battle against it. Satan knows that if he can keep us apart, dealing with our inner conflicts alone and isolated, his chances of victory against us are much greater.
Creating and cultivating an intimate brotherhood is not easy. It can be bloody and messy at times, but it is so worth it.
This is at the very heart of who we are and what we long for at WILDSONS and with this in mind, we have chosen to offer our community a window into how we are risking in love to live as true brothers, under God’s leadership and with the wisdom of those who are ahead of us in the journey.
For this reason we have just launched a new edition of the WILDSONS PODCAST and our new Instagram account (@wildsons.official), and soon we’ll be announcing new events that will take place throughout the year. Our desire is that all these offerings may serve as ammunition and tools to help you risk in love and experience the fullness of what God has in store for you in the context of your own brotherhood.
Jesus, we say yes to your invitation. We open our hearts to the possibility of living as true brothers, to be forged together by your love into the men we were created to be. We way yes to joining you in your beautiful mission— the awakening, restoration and initiation of our masculine hearts, and the radical transformation of our families and communities. Lead us, Jesus. You have our yes.
Let’s do this together.
Much love, brothers,
Pablo with WILDSONS
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