Church In The Wild #004 Embracing the Call: Living Out the Battle, Adventure, and Beauty in Everyday Life

The Masculine Heart: Living Out the Battle, Adventure, and Beauty Every Day

It was a cold morning, mist clinging to the ground like a veil as I stepped out of the house, still groggy from the demands of another long night. I stood there for a moment, coffee warming my hand, and I couldn’t shake the feeling—something was missing. The day was laid out before me like any other, the same routine, the same demands. And yet, I felt a pull deep inside, a voice whispering that there had to be more.

John Eldredge talks about the masculine heart with striking clarity—how every man needs a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. These aren’t just lofty ideals; they are the deep, essential desires God has placed within us. And as I reflected on that quiet morning, I realized these weren't distant concepts but calls to live out each day with purpose and strength.

A Battle to Fight: The Quiet Wars We Face Every Day

I once thought battles only belonged in history books or action movies. But life teaches you that every day holds its own kind of battle, and often, they’re the ones no one else sees.

For me, it was the ongoing challenge of fighting for my family’s well-being in the midst of life’s chaos. Whether it was pushing past my exhaustion to give my kids the attention they deserved, or choosing to stay calm when the stress of work threatened to steal my peace, every day became a proving ground.

John Eldredge reminds us that the battle isn't just against external forces but the internal ones too—the doubts, the fears, the lies we believe about ourselves. I had to fight the voice that said I wasn’t enough, that I couldn’t measure up. I had to fight to be present, to lead, to protect.

The truth is, every man faces his own version of this. Maybe it's at work, defending your integrity when shortcuts could be taken. Maybe it's standing firm for your faith when everything around you tells you to conform. Our battles don’t always come with swords and shields, but they are no less fierce.

Maxwell says it best when he talks about integrity—when you show up and stand for something day after day, you win the quiet war within. The battlefield is your everyday life. The stakes? Your character and your legacy.

An Adventure to Live: Finding Purpose in the Everyday

Adventure—now that sounds more like what I was longing for that morning. As a kid, I thought adventure meant far-off lands and wild escapades. But as a man, I’ve realized that true adventure lies in the risks we take every day.

I remember a time not long ago when I stood at a crossroads in my career. One path seemed safe, secure, but utterly uninspiring. The other? It promised uncertainty but also growth, a challenge that stirred something inside me. Everything in me wanted to cling to comfort, but Eldredge’s words echoed: Men need an adventure to live.

I chose the path of adventure. It meant stepping out of my comfort zone, taking on new responsibilities, learning new skills, and growing in ways I never thought possible.

The adventure isn't always about scaling mountains or embarking on a road trip. Sometimes it's about the courage to say "yes" to a new opportunity, to pursue a passion project, or even to reconnect with your family in a deeper way. It’s about living with intentionality, seeking purpose in the everyday, and embracing the unknown.

John C. Maxwell talks about how growth happens on the edge of discomfort. And it’s true—every adventure will stretch you, shape you, and mold you into the man you were created to be.

A Beauty to Rescue: The Strength of Love

And then, there’s the beauty. I used to think this part was just about romantic love, the damsel-in-distress idea we see in movies. But Eldredge showed me that “rescuing beauty” goes deeper than that.

There was a time when my marriage hit a rocky patch. My wife and I were both exhausted, overwhelmed with the demands of life. It would’ve been easy to just go through the motions. But I knew, deep down, that the call to “rescue beauty” meant stepping up, being present, and fighting for the relationship, not just letting it wither.

Rescuing beauty is about more than romantic gestures; it's about being there in the moments that matter. It’s about showing up for your kids when they need a father’s wisdom and strength. It’s about investing in your friendships, offering your time, your ears, and your heart.

John C. Maxwell speaks often about servant leadership, and that’s the heart of this. The beauty we rescue isn't about us—it’s about pouring out ourselves in service to others. Whether it’s through a simple conversation, a sacrificial act, or standing in the gap when no one else will, we offer our strength to those who need it most.

Living the Call

As I stood there that cold morning, reflecting on these truths, it struck me that the life I longed for wasn’t something I had to search for in faraway places. It was right there, in front of me. The battle to fight, the adventure to live, and the beauty to rescue—all woven into the fabric of my everyday life.

These aren’t ideals to chase after once in a while—they are the very heart of what it means to be a man, and they can be lived out in the small, ordinary moments. You don’t have to wait for the big battles or grand adventures. Step into the life that’s already in front of you.

Today, ask yourself: What battle will I fight? What adventure will I live? Who will I rescue with my love and strength?

Because when you do, you step into the man God designed you to be.