This post is a follow-up message from Pastor Ben's sermon entitled "The Highest Calling". [Watch video]

Our garage nearly flooded this week as all our snow and ice began to melt. Water takes the path of least resistance and the frozen ground combined with rain and snowmelt meant the path of least resistance was into my garage!

Men, unfortunately our “husbandry” is often like water, taking the path of least resistance. We are too passive. We are oftentimes lazy. We simply give in to the forces around us that seek to mold us. Though we may be passive, the world is not. Every day we are being schooled, trained, discipled if you will, to be something other than what Christ wants us to be, to be something other than a husband who loves and cares for his wife.

It’s really pretty easy. Just don’t do anything, except watch TV, surf the internet, play video games, work on your abs, generally be selfish, spend a lot of “me time” and be spiritually lazy. That may sound a little harsh to some, but honestly, is it accurate, even a little?

How do we counter these voices that constantly teach us—movies, blogs, books, college classes, commercials, people at work, family members, music and all of pop culture? These forces do an incredible job of confusing us and fostering the idea that it is not masculine to spiritually lead our wives and family. If we do nothing, we become like all these voices. But God calls us to action.

To become a Christlike husband will mean action. I will not lie to you, it will never be easy, but it will always be worth it. You must sacrifice, and sacrifice means it will cost you something. You must discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. If you are going to resist the forces that seek to conform you to the ways of the world, then you will need to read (yes, really read), study, pray, confess, resist and be strong in the strength that God provides. You will need to worship, serve, fellowship (particularly with other men), give and become a godly example to your wife and children. It will take effort, sweat, tears and time to become the man you want to be. You won’t change over night, but change you will. On the other hand, if you do nothing, then nothing will change.

You have two choices, and there are only two. The first is passivity and the path of least resistance in which your mantra will be, “Do nothing!” The second is action, and will mean you engage in great battles with yourself and the world around you. And you will win! For “He always leads us in victory.”

Like water into my garage, if you do nothing, then worldliness will seep into your life, taking the path of least resistance. But there is another way. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”