So today was Baptist Men's day and the sermon from the pulpit was geared that direction. It was a fine sermon overall, but I couldn't help but notice that something was lacking. I'm no preacher so don't take this as a critique of Dr. Golden's abilities. He definitely brings the truth. But today he was talking about how to "cowboy up" which is supposed to be cool guy talk for "be a man." He's from Texas so I'll throw him a bone on that one. I couldn't keep from thinking about one of my favorite verses:
When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, "I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man." --1 Kings 2:1,2
King David knew a little something about being a man. And not just because he slew lions and giants. He struggled with the things common to all men. He made tough decisions that got people killed. But he was also tender enough to write a ballad of love or a psalm of appreciation to his God. David was a man because, no matter how many battlefield victories he had, no matter how many wrongs he committed, no matter how the nation of Israel prospered or floundered under his reign, David knew that victory, peace, joy, and success were found in the hands of the Lord. And God Himself testified to this by referring to King David as "a man after my heart, who will do all my will." --Acts 13:22
The dying King charged his son with a command to be a man. He then goes on to tell Solomon how to do this. This is King David's own definition of how to be a man:
"...and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, His commandments, His rules, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn." --1 Kings 2:3
Being a man may mean fighting for truth. It may mean defending your family or the sheep. But more often than not, the way to be a man is to kneel. Fight on your knees with God's word hidden in your heart. Here are a few examples from the Bible of men who showed their strength and masculinity by yielding to God and letting Him win the victories:
Abraham
Joseph
Moses
Joshua
Samson
Gideon
Samuel
Hezekiah
and on and on and on and on.
The list is un-ending. One of my favorite examples is Peter. Peter was hot-headed, know-it-all, and ready for a fight. I think of him as sort of the crony/henchman type. He was quick to promise and slow to deliver when it counted. But Peter became a church founder and one of the greatest preachers in history. But only when he traded in his own strength and manhood for that found in service to his Master did Peter's heart change from that of a fighter to that of a lover. Peter came to realize that strength is found in humility.
Of course, the ultimate example of anything, especially a man, is found in Jesus Christ Himself. With all power at His disposal, Jesus chose humility and shame. He chose to not fight, but rather to be beaten, abused, ridiculed, and killed. Jesus even said that He could save Himself if He so wished. But He chose to sacrifice Himself for us. He put others, all others, before Himself.
Most Christian men are willing to humble themselves to a point; the preservation of their pride being that point. But Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death. That, to me, says that love is the greatest proof of strength. We don't need to get in tune with our inner hunter/gatherer, we don't need to find in ourselves the wild heart of God, and we don't need three-day, animal skin-wearing, bathing optional retreats. We simply need to lead in surrender to the Almighty One, the real Man.
