Well, sorry if
the title is a little abrasive, but sometimes we need to be forceful. The last month was our time of “manistry”
and it was such a valuable month to live along the 7 other men of I squad and
see what it looks like to be a man of God.
The sad part
about this whole process into manhood is that the world has had so much more of
an influence on it than Godly wisdom or council. We’re taught that the most important thing for a man to do
is to be the provider and protector.
Now both of these traits are not only admirable and much needed, but they
are extremely biblical. However, if
it stops at that, then we have a bunch of men that are satisfied with a decent
paycheck and safe security system.
Meanwhile our women are crying out for a true man to step up and lead
them into an intimacy that can only be experienced by a genuine initiator.
A few months ago
I heard this statement made and I can’t shake it. What if instead of standing by when Eve took the apple, Adam
stepped in front of her and said “Step
the hell back Snake. You don’t get
to speak with my woman to tempt her”?
What would happen for a group of girls that showed up to a mission
trip where the men actually outnumbered women? I know this is asking a lot of the men because they have “so
much to lose” but we’re slowly returning to the point where the church is “the woman’s place”.
Let’s be honest
men, what would really happen if you postponed that internship for a year? What would really happen if you put the
American dream aside for a second to see something bigger than you? I know that may be a blow to your
pride, but sometimes we need to get over ourselves and realize we’re not as big
as we think we are. So many people
are focused on the “right route” that true fulfillment and happiness become a
foreign concept that maybe they’ll get to experience when they retire, only to
arrive and realize how much time was wasted.
Women, I want to
apologize if you’ve never been swept off your feet before. Now I’m not talking the Nicholas
Sparks, romantic dream date sort of way.
I’m speaking of what happens when a man steps up in boldness to initiate
a relationship where he grabs your hand and leads you into something so much
bigger than either of you. This is
not in a domineering sort of way, but it’s done in the wake of the example set
by Jesus and the standard He set by loving the church.
Men, WAKE UP!!! If you’re married, stand in the gap between your wife and
kids (if you have them) and Satan tell him to step back. You are the
leader, the initiator, the guidance, the director, the force to be reckoned
with, or whatever word needs to be inserted to stop acting like a paycheck
and ADT are all you need. Single
men, (of which I am one) set a new freakin’ standard. Stop trying to work your way up the ladder and explore what
else it takes to be a man. Your 5 year plan can wait. We’re too often in such a hurry to get nowhere. Now don’t
hear me say jobs and financial provision aren’t important. Providing for your family is a biblical
thing as I mentioned earlier, it wasn’t introduced by the world, and making
money isn’t evil. The only thing
is if we are more driven by that than the discipling and protection of those
around you, your priorities are out of sync.
I just make a plea
for a generation of men to step up and stand for something that may call out
more humility in them than fame and glory. We may be aggressive in getting our paycheck, but when it
comes to leading our households, we step back in passivity as women cry out for
their man to lead. What would it
look like if we actually treated our sisters the way Christ treated the church
instead of just quoting it at wedding ceremonies?
Come on men. There’s something more, but it often
comes at the cost of getting over ourselves, and stepping into something
great. Now let’s move…
