“Rite of Passage” Phase 1: Separation
“The concept of the rite of passage explores and describes various other milestones in an individual’s life when their social status is forever altered.”
For the boys in the Maasai tribe nearing the age of manhood, killing lions was a rite of passage that turned them into warriors.
Initiation rites of passage Today are often seen in:
The Church
Sports teams
Social groups
They don’t quite look the same as they once did, but is this a good or bad change?
Can men even be initiated anymore? Is it necessary?
Let's discuss what a rite of passage is and how God initiates us into manhood.
Origin
The term “rite of passage” was coined in 1909 by Arnold van Gennep. To grow from a boy into a man is not something that happens without guidance or understanding. Initiations and rites of passage are fundamental to a man's personal growth and discovery of himself. These often happen during the growth years as early as 7 years old to 18 years old.
Arnold van Gennep proposed three phases that rites of passage help us move through: “separation”, “transition”, and “reincorporation”. Today we are talking about the first phase, separation.
Phase 1: Separation
Throughout history and different parts of the world, this has taken many different forms. Most often it is either a literal or figurative separation from his surroundings and life. During this phase, this boy is separated from his past as well. This might require heavy reflection on impactful events and acceptance of hard truths. This allows him to accept his new mission and direction in life as a man.
In the Maasai tribe the elders and warrior men of the tribe would take boys from their homes at the age of 12 and spend a day preparing them to succeed in their mission the next day. To hunt and kill a lion.
In our lives, this can look like God guiding us through trials in our life. He allows us to be separated so that He can get us alone with Him. To truly become a man, we must understand our God and Father, to be alone with Him, to hear what He has to say about us. To see if we are ready to accept our responsibility of being a man of God.
How Separation for Initiation looks with God:
When God took me away for my rite of passage and separated me from my surroundings, I was 14 years old. It looked like isolation in school, facing my bullies, emotional disconnection from my family, and even being removed from my home permanently.
Separation isn’t easy or fun always. It can be painful.
God used this time to open my eyes to the reality of the world both physically and spiritually. To hone my skills for the future, to teach me how to earn respect from leaders and other men. To push my limits physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Begin looking and listening for God’s calling on your life, because it isn’t always obvious. Look for the path through the struggles and challenges 👊
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