January 5

Men and Magma

Then the master said to the servant, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”  ––Luke 14:23

I was obsessed with volcanoes when I was a kid. I drew tons of pictures, volcanoes in the background with lava spewing into the sky and flowing down the sides, fleeing stegosaurs, diplodocus, and brontosaurs in the foreground.

In a lot of ways, men are like magma: we have stuff bubbling inside us—a quest for passion and purpose—and are constantly looking for ways to let it out. We represent the steam emanating from the hillside, suggesting to a volcanologist that something’s lurking underneath the ground, and soon the pressure below will overcome the pressure above. Men and magma. It’s so perfect.

A superheated substance and force seeks a channel of expression. It percolates and bubbles for a long time. The passing of millennia is not unusual. It’s energy, color, and potential—a driving force. When it bursts out—when the volcano erupts—it changes the landscape. It is rare and oddly beautiful. People want to see that bright-orange spectacle. Significant volcanic eruptions are known for changing the landscape permanently. The blast zone is measured, recorded, studied, analyzed, and ranked based on the intensity and impact.

The Apostle Paul traveled more than 10,000 miles over 30 years to spread the Word. He said, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me” (1 Corinthians 9:16-17). That’s volcanic commitment.

The aspirations we carry around in our hearts as men are like magma. They are deep inside, pushing up from within, and hoping for expression. When they surface, for better or for worse, they impact everyone. From generation to generation, we see the effects of men and how their passions explode on the world—to either do good or not.

As followers of the Messiah, we rise in response to the trumpet call of history to confront the issues of our time for good. To this end, it is time for the men of this generation to let their aspirations inside make their way to the surface to be measured. To do so not only requires courage, it demands that you look at the world, look in the mirror, and then ask some deep questions. You are responsible for this hour of history—answer the call.

Father, I am making a mark on the world—help me to leave a positive impression that points to You and Your glory.

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“The Roman Empire in the First Century: Early Christianity,” PBS.org.