I didn't walk away from this weekend feeling good. I walked away convicted.
I spent it at the 1613 Men's Conference in Cincinnati, built around one verse. 1 Corinthians 16:13. "Be watchful. Stand firm in the faith. Act like men. Be strong." No fluff, no hype. Just a room full of men getting told the truth.
Joby Martin, Nick Freitas, and Massey Campos all had moments that landed on me hard. Two of them I haven't been able to shake.
First one is about my body. I've said for a long time that I struggle with getting fit, and I usually say it half joking. This weekend it got named for what it actually is. My body isn't mine to neglect.
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
If I'm running exhausted and worn down, I can't protect, lead, or serve the people I love the way I'm supposed to. That's not a New Year's resolution problem. That's a stewardship problem. I’m guilty as charged but not for long.
Second one came from Massey Campos, and it's the one that really got me. He said we confess our sin to God, but do we confess our shame? Those aren't the same thing. Sin is a list of things I did wrong that I can name and ask forgiveness for. Shame is the quieter thing underneath it, the identity I've been carrying that says something's wrong with me, not just something I did.
"For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame." Hebrews 12:2
He didn't just die to clear my record. He died to take the shame off me too. I've been better at the first one than the second.
Same weekend, our church was in Esther's story, watching a man refuse to bow because bowing meant bowing away from God. Mordecai told her, "Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" Esther 4:14. Different room, same thread running through it. Culture, and honestly my own flesh, wants me tired, distracted, and hiding. God wants me watchful, honest, and free.
Sit with this one this week: is there a sin you've confessed to God a hundred times, but a shame underneath it you've never actually named out loud?
This is exactly why Brotherhood Forged exists. Men weren't built to carry shame alone in the dark. We're built to bring it into the light with brothers who won't flinch. If you want that kind of community around you, we'd love to have you in it.
If this hit you, forward it to a brother who needs to hear it too.
Brotherhood Forged runs because guys like you keep it running. If you've got room this week to help us keep reaching men, you can give here: DONATE. Or PayPal to [email protected]. No pressure, just grateful for every man standing with us in this.
Jesus love you, guys and you ARE worth it. You matter too! PB & J