Hello, my name is Chase, and I’m a man.
(Hi Chase.)
It’s been 9 months since I could afford to pay for a date.
The other day I got so angry at seeing people eating out of a garbage can I wanted to cry, but I ate some red meat and swallowed the lumps in my throat until that feeling went away…
(Thunderous applause from mainstream America.)
Photo by: http://www.squidoo.com/dumpster-diving
I am so sick of people telling me that men do not get emotional.
Sure, it may look different. We may not cry in public. We may all not write angsty rap songs, go on MTV, curse out the world and make a million dollars.
But we get frustrated as much as anyone else does.
The problem is, most of the time, we are told to numb/ignore our feelings.
(Sometimes, I feel like I’m supposed to always feel like this.)
(Photo cred here)
It boggles my brain that if I am vocal with my feelings about the massive work that needs to be done in the name of poverty or orphans I am labeled gay, effeminate, or “emotionally immature”.
I get infuriated that there is a reason some kids feel unsafe when guys are around.
I flinch whenever I watch people’s eyes get wide when I tell them I baby-sit.
When did taking care of people become “woman’s work”?
Since when did it become “woman’s work” to get angry enough about hurting people to want to change it?
Yes, men need to talk about our responsibilities as leaders, first in the family then in the church. Yes, men need to be taught how to treat women correctly.
And yes, I have often abdicated roles in ministry to join blue collar America and “provide”.
However, when did those roles become second to being honest before God and the world?
“Being honest” can be labeled as (but is not limited to) the following:
1. Telling people you are scared, but knowing that God enables you to be more scared of running away.
2. Dropping the façade that you have your life together, but in response to that confession, having the body of Christ encourage you to press into God so much that He guides your steps.
3. Voicing your feelings instead of swallowing them and working to bring healing to hurt parts of our hearts.
These is not easy…It’s hard. However, if we are asking people to be honest with their hurts so we can minister to their souls, shouldn’t we be brave enough to do the same?
I am asking… no, I am begging you, for the sake of future generations seeing men with integrity, please listen to the prophet Jeremiah when he says: “What does the Lord require of you: Seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God”.
Your humility to go where no man wants to go will change the world.
Perhaps the bravest thing of all is dropping all the gimmicks of “manhood” and beginning the healing work of being vulnerable: with God and each other.
Now… can we start the group therapy session?
In the comments below, I’d love your feedback, comments, and concerns over this issue!
