Daniel Comp posted on February 03, 2010
Do you remember the television show; ‘Lost in Space’? You can watch episodes at: http://www.hulu.com/lost-in-space I recall the show because of the infamous phrase “Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!” The robot, with a resemblance to the lion in the Wizard of Oz would call out, with lights flashing and arms flinging around, “Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!”. If you’ve ever seen the show, the exact tone and phrasing of that warning rings in your mind even now.
I was raised on this kind of call for adventure. It was expected of me to ‘get outside’ if I was bored. On Saturday mornings, if I didn’t have to do chores, I’d stay in bed and read Danny Dunn Adventures. (not to be confused with the 2009 Australian movie). There are 15 books, written from 1956 into the mid seventies.
Danny was a young science adventurer from 15 that was like Indiana Jones from ‘Raiders’ mixed with the science/geekiness of ‘MacGyver’. I dreamed of a life as adventurous and heroic as his. Then I grew up too fast, without finishing much of my youth. I was the oldest and cared for my step-brother and step-sister.
At 50, I decided I would celebrate by cycling solo across America, from Seattle to New York City. What I didn’t expect was that I’d be ‘transforming’ my character and my self-talk as I rode.
What I mean by that was that I finished at least three undone phases of my manhood as defined by John Eldredge; boyhood, cowboy and warrior.
I listened to his ministry and book as I rode and saw myself many times, now 50, but still exploring what it meant to be a man, and not a child.
God designed men to be -- dangerous, passionate, alive, and free. Our hearts long for: a battle to fight, an adventure to take, and a beauty to rescue. Unfortunately most men are incomplete. We think;
"I can fix it. I don't need your help. I'll figure this out."
Thoughts like these erupt from a man's deep urge to be a REAL man. Yet underneath, there is a whisper;
"You can't. You're not capable. You're weak.
Men face two looming questions in their life;
What does it mean to be a man?
Am I one?
John Eldredge, founder and director of Ransomed Heart Ministries, identifies six stages through which men must pass in their life journeys:
boyhood
cowboy
warrior
lover
king
sage
By understanding and completing each stage we can heal and effectively lead our sons to manhood. Begin a journey to discover your masculinity.
We no longer have to be in danger, and lost in 'our' space
Read "Way of the Wild Heart" for men and Captivating: for women.