The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

The Great Unknown

Men navigate the Death Zone of expectations in the rugged terrain of masculinity. Men are often seen as stoic “mountains,” unyielding, unshakeable, and unknowable. The idea of weakness becomes a treacherous valley they’re told to avoid at all costs. It’s a pathway to compartmentalized foolishness. From the earliest days, boys are taught to be unyielding oaks, their emotions hidden beneath betrayal and bark. Vulnerability is seen as a peeling of the bark, a crack in the fortress of self-protection. Furthermore, it’s as if they’re told to be towering redwoods, sturdy and unwavering, even when storms rage within. This seems honorable, but its roots are weak, and the soil is shallow- resulting in selfishness and passivity.

But imagine this rugged landscape through the lens of faith—a different terrain entirely. Christianity speaks of strength found in humility, akin to the quiet power of a river that moves and shapes simultaneously through a dry canyon. It’s about the courage and tender care that a man exudes.

In this world, the fear of being perceived as weak looms like a dark, foreboding storm. It’s a blizzard that keeps men from scaling the peaks of their true potential, urging them to hide their struggles in the dense underbrush of obscurity or baseless comfort of basecamp.

Yet, amidst this untamed wilderness, there’s a different narrative—a beacon of hope cutting through the thickest fog. The gospel paints a picture of strength in vulnerability. Like our archetypal hero, Jesus Christ.

Now, imagine a gathering—a rugged campfire circle—where men share tales of conquering these boughs of betrayal and boasting. A place where they trade in their oxygen masks for authenticity, where showing the scars from battles fought becomes a symbol of triumph rather than shame.

It’s not about neglecting the roots, stopping the river, or uprooting the oak; it’s about reshaping them. It’s about crafting a new definition of masculinity—forged in the fire of faith and strengthened by masculine mentorship and friendship bonds. It’s about embodying the courage of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah to show vulnerability, to seek help, and to walk boldly in the grace that washes over like a cleansing rain on parched earth.

Tighten your straps.

Double knot your boots.

Fill your water bottle.

We are headed into the great unknown of vulnerability.

Be a mentor.

Find a mentor.

Be a better man.

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