12 Reasons Why We Need Godly Men More Than Ever
by on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:41 am
#12 - Today’s Problems Demand Selfless Courage & Not Self-Expression
Being a man is like being a quarterback. The quarterback has the responsibility to move the offense to the end zone. He has to coordinate the offense with the coaches on the sidelines, call the plays that he makes or receives, make sure the rest of his players are position, check the signals that the defense is giving him, make the necessary adjustments, launch the play, react appropriately to the situation, execute effectively, and then emotionally direct each of the men depending on whether they need to be confronted or encouraged. Just to make sure that the job isn’t too easy, there are half a dozen men, two to three times his size, who spend decades of their lives learning how to cripple the quarterback on every play. The work of a quarterback is heavy, and good quarterbacks have no time to screw around or worry about their own personal levels of satisfaction.
Manhood is much the same way. God has thrust upon the shoulders of men responsibilities that are numerous and heavy. Men have to get into spiritual, physical, and mental shape, shepherd the earth, build up the hearts and lives of their wives, train their children in a loving, but consistent manner, lead the church in bringing the Gospel to all of the nations, seek out justice for the oppressed and fatherless, defend the defenseless against those who would seek to harm them, and if necessary, be the first to bleed and die in protection of those who are assigned under their care.
Overgrown males are like arrogant wide receivers. They want the ball, which isn’t such a bad thing for a wide receiver, but then they want to flaunt their skills in front of the whole world once they get it. Usually, these wide receivers have no concept of how easy they have it, considering the fact that after five yards, they are not to be touched. With such cushions for comfort, they are lulled into a false sense of superiority in comparison to the rest of their teammates. They think that their job is the toughest one on the team, but in reality they barely see to their one assignment while the quarterback diligently manages the issues involved with everyone’s assignment simultaneously. Like these wide receivers, overgrown males want recognition, but can’t handle real leadership.
As you age, you will show yourself either to be like a mature, diligent, steady, and courageous quarterback or an overrated, self-indulgent, and ultimately useless wide receiver. Regardless of what you will become, the world out there is still setting itself against the people of God and their Lord. Satan is influencing godless people to attack the Godly, and you will either be a kid who is in the way or a man who God can trust to put upon you the skills and abilities to fight the fight of faith effectively.
I know that I’m speaking in a melodramatic or hyperbolic manner, but the troubles of this world and the forces behind them are extremely real. The damage that is done, spiritually and physically, to the victims of sinful humans under the bondage of satanic forces is bloody, relentless, and merciless. Into this mess, God has sent His Son to secure a sure victory for us, but He is giving us the assignment of fighting until He returns to signal the end of this age.
Whether we are still alive when He returns or not, the responsibility we have demands that we mature into selfless and courageous men who trust our Lord over our lusts, His empowering Spirit over our personal strength, His biblical wisdom over the opinion of the times, and His provision of other believers over the individual search for self-fulfillment.
This world is made for grown-ups. Boys need not apply.