Photo by Warners Bro. 300 Movie
In our society we have been conditioned to define manhood by all the wrong factors. If you ask some people to define manhood, you would be amazed to see some of the responses. Some people would define manhood by their first sexual encounter or their first drink and the list goes on and on.
But Ed Cole, the father of all of men’s ministry defines in this way, “Manhood and Christlikeness are synonymous.” He also said, “Being a male is a matter of birth. Being a man is a matter of choice.”
We have too many passive men, especially in the church. If we are serious about seeing transformation in the world today, then we need to focus on raising up men who will grow more in Christlikeness, as well as teaching them to take responsibility and make some hard choices.
It is never too late!
Of course, learning various principles of being a man is always better at a younger age, but I have seen people in their brokenness (through their failures) learn how to become the kind of man that God wants them to be in the latter portion of their lives.
Dick Innes shares,
Having spent considerable time working to resolve my own father wound, I wrote my version of the classic poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling several years ago for my two sons who are now adults.
fears to conquer every challenge
that comes to those who dare
to climb the highest heights;
When you can keep on getting up each
time you’ve failed or been knocked down;
When you can see your greatest strength
lies in your faith and gentleness,
your greatest courage in admitting
your faults, and with God’s help
strive to overcome them;
When you can accept responsibility
for resolving all your hurts and break
the chain from generations past;
When you can know and show a father’s
love and feel with all your heart;
When you can love yourself, others
and God more than earthly gain,
or fame and recognition, you will,
my son, be then a man –
and indeed a great man at that.