Rise Up Warrior!

A wonderful new movie called Courageous is coming out tomorrow in theatres.  This is another movie done by the church in Georgia that produced Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Flywheel--ALL of which are highly recommended by me (See movies page!)

I don't know much about this new movie, but I do know that it has something to do with men stepping up to the plate.  This is such a big concern for me.

Women, children, and even other men of our society need men to step up.  There is a desperate longing inside children that cause them to want their Daddy's approval.  They want him to be proud of them and spend time with them and pat them on the back.  Women crave the attention of males, whether it be their Dad's, their husbands, or just male figures in their life.

The Bible says over and over that men are the head of the household and the church--they were born to be leaders.  We need them to lead us.  Women will stop controlling when men start leading, and men will start leading when women step back and stop controlling.  It's a crazy cycle, but who's gonna take the first step?
As I read in Ezra yesterday I stumbled upon this verse:

"Rise up; this matter is in your hands.  

We will support you, so take courage and do it."

Ezra 10:4

In this passage Ezra has just found out the people he has been leading back to God's temple have been disobeying God greatly.  Ezra mourns and confesses their sins to God, he is utterly heartbroken.  Then Shecaniah gives Ezra advice on what needs to be done, and tells him to rise up.


This is such a strong calling for a man.  Rising up means taking courage, preparing for battle, and sacrificing self.  No such call should be taken lightly, but it shouldn't be ignored either.

Here's the kicker, Ezra had a choice.  It was up to him weather he would actually stand up on and fight or continue to mourn in self pity.  It is always a choice with God.  He may ask you to save the nations by sharing the gospel to the highest suicidal rated city on the globe, a task that would bring God so much glory it would be mind blowing, a task that would humbly honor anyone even considered by the great God Almighty, but nevertheless, a task that is still left as a choice to be done or not.

Thankfully, the very next verse assures us that Ezra took that bold step of faith without a second thought.  He immediately put the plan into action and became a huge part of helping the Israelites get reconciled to God.  And God got more glory because of it!

So this is to the young man out there who has been called by God to lead his wife, his family, his church, or his friends.  You have a decision to make, are you going to stay seated and mourning, or are you going to stand up and lead these special people closer to God and God's glory.  On behalf of the godly women I know, we beg you to lead us righteously.

And for the young woman reading this, my prayer is that you would encourage that man today, weather it be your father, your fiance, your husband, or your pastor.  Encourage the men in your life to make that bold step.  Let him know that you will support him 110%, and that you are honored to have a God-chosen warrior in your life.