Anchored in Community
Men need other men. It is a simple concept really and it's biblical. King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, said it best in Proverbs 27:17. Iron sharpens iron...take a moment to really breath in that truth. As men, we need other Godly, wise men in our lives. We must be purposeful and intentional in surrounding ourselves with men who we trust, who hold us accountable and who truly KNOW us.
The second DIAL represents a concept that has been lost over time. As men, we have the misconception that we must figure life out on our own. It is ourself against the world. Needing help is seen as a sign of weakness. Biblically, it is not.
Jesus said (Know Christ..right), "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20. We are called to be in community with each other. Other men have come before us that have figured all of life's junk out. It just makes sense to find other men around you that can lift you up, dismantle you, build you back up, teach you and guide you. Being intentional with this concept as a man means surrounding yourself with a group of men that are willing to invest in you and who love you. This group
should be hand selected but the fundamental concept will remain consistent throughout your entire life. You need Godly men from various seasons in life.
If you are a student in middle school or high school, you should be in a small group at church and have some older men that your dad trusts to mentor, guide and invest in you. As a college student, some peers you trust and a select few who are older than you. As you progress through life this concept should hold true. Being intentional with being in community means that you invest in them as much as they invest in you.
When things go sideways in life...check DIAL #1 and make sure your relationship with Christ is solid. If so, take a hard look at DIAL #2 and make sure you are anchored in a group men who have your back, will hold you accountable and will fight for your heart. Leverage your community to navigate life and the decisions you are faced with. Anchoring yourself in community will make life easier and it will make you stronger. It also fills your tanks up to serve those around you and to be the "light" that Christ has called you to be. That brings us to the third DIAL...Be Second.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
