Did you know that a lone wolf is doomed? Yes, an apex hunter but alone he is lost and will slowly succumb and perish. See, a wolf pack works together. They run in packs and hunt in packs. They chase down, corner, surround their prey and then go in for the kill. They like fresh meat so bring down animals regularly.
But, a lone wolf doesn’t last long. It is very hard for him to hunt alone. He will eventually grow weak from hunger. Disease will catch up to him. He’ll withdraw or be picked off by another apex predator.
Think about that!
Men so often brag about being a ‘lone wolf.’ They are isolated and have no deep friendships with other men. Yea, maybe they know other men with whom they talk about work, or the weather or sports. But, they lack deep friendships.
“Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure. Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth. Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; and those who fear the Lord will find them” – Sirach 6:14-16
This is one thing that struck me in the Men’s Emmaus. Most men have those acquaintances with who they can have shallow talk. But, when it hits the fan, who knows if they answer the call. These are lone men with nothing in common with other men that is more than the news or sports.
Emmaus changed that. In a single weekend I would watch men develop deep bonds. These are created by the power of the Holy Spirit. These bonds change men and their families forever.
I’ve watched men, addicted to sports or pornography or themselves, change from inward shallow focus to being the man their wife dreamt to marry. I’ve seen these friendships lift men from a mire to desire to be a man of God.
The CMF group continues and builds upon what Emmaus can start by giving men an outlet to be weak and to hear others who are equally struggling in life. It allows men to draw together as a pack. Hunting a stronger relationship with God.
I have a handful of men from PGH Emmaus whom I consider true brothers. Strong and deep friends though hundreds of miles apart. When we come together, it takes moments to catch up and then it’s like we were never apart. We can talk for hours and not run out of conversation topics or grow tired of the camaraderie.
The enemy seeks those who single themselves out from the pack, aka the Church. He hunts down and devours those who try to stand alone. But, when he faces a man who has deep friends like this, he faces strong challenges and often will leave the pack alone for easier targets
Join a pack if you haven’t already. Find a men’s Bible study or group whose sole intent is to become men of God, men after God’s own heart.
If you’re already part of one of these groups, dive in with all your heart. Draw yourself into solid and deep friendships with this brotherhood. And thrive.