Ben Casonacha has some very interesting insights on vulnerability in relationships. As I was thinking about what he said I realised how necessary transparency is in Christian relationships. Do you limit this openess to only your spouse- from a man’s perspective- wife? Can a woman understand the deep seated fears of a man? Can she identify with the character flaws that come as a package deal as part of our being men? What if you aren’t married?

Should we as Christian men primarily depend on a paid counselor to listen to our deepest fears as Ben suggests. Don’t we have the body of Christ, which was meant to be one of the deepest levels of fellowships that one could experience outside of marriage. By this I don’t mean that you go and open yourself up to whoever will listen. That is not wisdom.

But how about other men in the Body of Christ? People whom we respect, whom we would like to be like as husbands, fathers and leaders. Can’t we have our Band of Brothers?

Men we would want to stand with us in a fight.

Men whom we could trust to watch our back.

Men whom we could look upto because they have been there before.

Men who aren’t afraid to tell us what we need to hear.

Men who won’t mince words, but won’t also withold love.

Men who show their love by getting down in the trenches to pray with and for you.

And can’t we take up the challenge of being a Brother to others who need us.

Whether we like it or not, we are born into a world at war. Everyday we fight to keep our purity. Everyday we fight emotional, intellectual and spiritual battles with an army trained in guerilla warfare. Sure we have an armour to protect us. But even with the armour we need to keep on “praying for all the saints.” I NEED my Band of Brothers. I need my Jonathan.