It is crazy but in some countries adolescent male elephants have been running wild, attacking one another, other animals, and humans. Elephant aggression has become a big problem in many parts of the world in recent decades. As scientists have tried to figure out why, they’ve determined that elephant social structure has been destroyed, through poaching. The elder elephants are missing, especially adult male bulls (elephants), who are favorite targets of poachers. Recently some South African park rangers flew in some adult male elephants, they flapped their ears, raised their trunks, and bellowed for days—and they restored order. The young males got in line and stopped their destruction. Makes a lot of since.

 

I believe the same is true of humans. When men are absent or fail to lead, society breaks down. It’s why most inmates in the prison system came from homes where the father was absent, neglectful, or abusive. It’s why overwhelming percentages of high-school dropouts had absent fathers. Society’s problems become everybody’s problem. I believe only adult Godly men can help change this problem.

 

Jesus said, “He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives” (Luke 4:18). Men, this begins in our own personal manhood, in our lives, in our families, and in our communities. The way things are meant to work is for Godly man to find freedom in Christ authority and then share it with everyone within his realm of influence. If all Godly men would take this call seriously we could see great change in our adolescent behavior and fruitfulness.

 

In His Service

Eric Barnes