Scripture tells us that iron sharpens iron. Masculinity is bestowed. In other words, masculine spirituality is what connects men to each other and to God.

The Over the Edge community is part of the growing men’s spirituality connection here in West Michigan. We are made up of guys from all walks in life who want to share our journeys, connect our stories and encourage each other along the way. We join together on-line, at OTE retreats, connect at group spiritual direction gatherings and other OTE-sponsored events to become part of the male energy driving the current American renaissance in men’s spirituality. Together we are finding the God-path.

Whether we are able to name it or not, there is a longing within men---a desire to go inside to connect with the inner man within each of us---as well as to reach out to other men and connect with their spirits. Men may not fully articulate this need, but when men experience the masculine connection they are energized, empowered and encouraged.

God hard-wired men to find and follow the God-path together---in the company of other men. Society often tries to isolate men. It teaches us we have to follow the unwritten “man-code” which says we can’t talk about stuff with other guys other than safe subjects like cars and sports and our jobs. That isolation results in what many guys experience as a numbness. They can’t feel or experience life—they just get the job done and hope the bottom doesn’t fall out. There’s no joy. No freedom. No comrades to walk alongside with shoulder-to-shoulder.

To overcome that isolation—that numbness and loneliness---guys are pushing back—they’re claiming our unique spirituality as men. In fact, Richard Rohr, a Catholic priest and one of the key leaders in what has become known as the Men’s Spirituality Movement, reminds us that masculine spirituality is indeed unique to men---it has its own characteristics and flavor—wild and heroic at times, full of adventure and a conquest for freedom and integrity---it must be nurtured and sustained in the presence of other men, he says.