Okay ladies, I know some of you are excited about the title of this article but, if your looking for anything (world’s definition) other than God’s definition of a man, you just opened the wrong article. To my Christian sisters in courtship, the singles, those engaged to be married soon, this will be helpful, but the next post is for you, challenging you to be Godly ladies, watch this space, enjoy this one though. To the boys, I hope this will help you become men.
What does it mean to be a man? God calls you to be servant initiators, firm but gentle, masculine yet caring, leaders yet servants, protectors not seducers. Ever wondered what God had in mind when He made two sexes? What is His plan? Can the men of this generation understand and embrace the unique role God has assigned to them? Your role as men was assigned by God at the beginning, in the creation story, He created you first for a reason. He made Adam first signifying his unique role as a leader and initiator. He created Eve from Adam and brought her to Adam to be his helper in the tasks God had assigned him. She was made to complement, nourish, and help her husband. God’s greatest gift to man was “ a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18). This doesn't minimize a woman's role, but it does define it. Men and women were created equal, yet different. And the fact that we are different is wonderful. God didn't make us to duplicate each other, but to complement each other. Mathew Henry in his commentary on Genesis explains: “ Eve was not taken out of Adam’s head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him”
Boys can you just be men, you have your work cut out for you and you need to take it very seriously. What business do you have pursuing a relationship with a woman when you still haven't figured out what it means to be a man. You owe it to the women in your lives, your future wives ( I hope your praying for them), and to God to figure this out. The world is crying for men who are strong in conviction, strong to lead, to stand, to suffer. I pray you will be that kind of a man, glad that God made you a man, glad to shoulder the burden of manliness in a time when to do so will often bring contempt. To my ladies, don't be scared, wondering if such men, still even exist, the good news is that they do, I know one. Just seek God and pray, to the singles, pray for yout future husband daily, just let the Spirit lead you, to those in relationships, pray for him, God will change him, remember, you cannot change him, only God can.
Men can you assume the responsibility of leading and initiating in your relationships with women. Leading is a form of serving, provide direction, suggest ideas and initiate conversations or activities. Plan times together, carefully plan your dates. It's your job as men to make sure that the relationship is contuning to grow at a healthy rate. It's your responsibility to make sure you’re both guarding your hearts. I know its difficult for most of you but it’s a big part of what it means to be a man.
Be the spiritual leaders, its your role to make sure that your relationship isn't merely superficial and entertainment oriented, but deep, God focused, and characterized by biblical fellowship. Don't be content to be spiritually lukewarm, strive to set an example of passion for God. I love Jesus today and have a passion for God that amazes my family and friends and they keep wondering what happened to me but its because an awesome man set a beautiful example for me. Boys would you do the same for the woman in your life. The best thing you can do for her is to draw her closer to God than to yourself.
Boys, do little things in your relationship with women that communicate your care, respect, and desire to protect. This doesn't have to be complicated, simply be a gentleman to the women in your life, your goal is to show through your actions that their status as women is a noble one. Just small actions like: open the door for her, open the gate ( if you don't have a gateman) even if its you driving, pull out her chair. If you need more ask some godly women, you’ll be amazed how willing they’ll be to help educate you.
Encourage women to embrace godly femininity: when the lady is humble and gentle, encourage her, femininity is not weakness, it requires great strength of character to be gentle in an age that screams for her to do otherwise.
So boys can you be men, you may not realize it but you desperately need God’s help to be who He has called you to be as a man. You can't do it in your own strength, you need His Grace. God is the center of the universe. He created you for Himself. Your a man because He made you a man for His glory. Express your manhood for Him, His ways and in so doing, point to His greatness and reflect His goodness.
God is crazy about you and I am praying for you.
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