Recently, a few Forge guys were encouraging a solid young bro. Married only a few years, he’s got a new baby in a new home: This past holiday season was their first Christmas in their first home with baby #1 = Clean slates everywhere. 

Most of us aren’t facing so many firsts, but do we see the many opportunities we do have? We likely have greater influence on our spheres than we realize. We forget that we all have influence. As men, we’re either owning and growing into intentional spaces – or we’re’ neglecting those spaces. Intentionality is a posture of practice.

Do we see that intentional shaping of our own atmospheres belongs to us - as men - as leaders and influencers? When talking with the young dad mentioned above, the Forge guys were urging him forward as a husband and father to establish more: To actively, intentionally stretch out his covering over his space, family, holidays - his home. In a similar way, God invites us into spaces which need our strength and awareness, bringing the breath of the Kingdom. 

Here’s a space where such intentionality worked out: This past Christmas, our family’s 20-something’s were landing early for the holidays. I called dibs on a specific evening and arranged a pre-holiday adventure just for us. It became a great time with a unique signature. One of them quipped, “We should do this every year!” Where there’d been nothing, we started something of our own. We claimed a new space. Looking back, the effort and the payout were very worth it. 

A summer ago, a Forge-teamer took his family on a “Great Out West Adventure.” They’d not done so before and, (given the kid’s ages), likely won’t be able to do so again. Seizing the day, he led his family in a trip filled with once-in-a-lifetime exploits. This completely unique event was forged out of His heart’s own fire. That one step-up will produce a lifetime worth of memories. So well done. 

What’s it look like when men step into to shaping and creating good times and holy moments? May we awaken to our rightful places. Let’s pray to raise up from a ‘heads down’ posture. Let’s be men who establish, initiate and engage. Let’s be the ones asking, “Where are the hours, moments or zones we can claim or improve?” 

It is a choice not to establish. It is a choice to launch a new mission or recover older ones. Passivity is a choice. Intentionality is a choice. Stepping up is a choice. Praying into what Father’s inviting us into – this is a choice. 

There’s a famine in our land. It’s not a famine of streaming services or games or food. This famine is in our own awareness of having the power to bring genuine influence.