I love classic Disney movies.
Upon rewatching them, I noticed why girls are so confused about men.
We grow up with these uncontradicted ideas that someday a guy will “rescue” us [although I’m still not certain what we need rescuing from].
For a while I have been contemplating this question:
So what DOES a real man look like?
Mulan says to be a man he must be swift as a river, forceful as a typhoon, strong as a fire, and mysterious as a moon. Basically, no sign of weakness.
Beauty and the Beast shows Gaston as the most handsome, wealthy, powerful, successful, buff, and unfortunately hairy man. [Sorry men, but few girls I know are dying for chest hair.] Obviously Belle is a special case, but everyone else either wants to be him or be with him.
Tangled [can be included because it’s AWESOME] paints a picture of a man that Rapunzel saves from his former self. She changes him. And of course, they fall for each other really really quickly.
Trust me when I say that I love these movies and will still watch them repeatedly, but I see why girls and women alike are left confused about men.
So again I ask my question, what does it mean to be a real man?
Maybe you men are still wondering this and maybe you women have given up that they exist.
Well, guess what.
God created men from Himself.
To be a real man means to be more like God.
It’s as plain and simple as that.
So, this is a challenge to all of you guys out there. Step up and be real men. Lead the way God designed you to, because women can’t pick up that slack. As women, we NEED you men to lead spiritually. Show us that these men do still exist.
Now the challenge to the women: what can you do to inspire these men? I think we often forget how much of an impact we have as their sisters in Christ. Encourage them. Don’t criticize them; the world does that enough. Let them serve you. [Now, let me just say this is one I struggle with greatly, as I am a very independent person.] Be the type of women that they would want to serve alongside, not just feel obligated to. Jesus expects us to meet them halfway.
And now to those real men in my life, THANK YOU. You have shown me what it means to love women and what it means to serve as leaders in Christ. You have set a high standard so that women around you expect humbleness, dignity, and chivalry. I cannot thank you enough for the impact you have had in opening my eyes to a real brother’s love.
