Monday; October 30

Through the years I have mused that is much easier being a man than a woman; but, in today’s world, that tongue-in-cheek remark is dangerous.  In an age of scandal, accusation and accountability, being a man has taken on a whole new tone of sobriety.  
Our society – from sociologists to politicians to entertainers to everyone else – is calling upon men to step up and be responsible.  We are being told that we must treat women with respect and hold other men accountable for their actions.  We have been promised that childish and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.  But, you know what – as I go back and reread this paragraph – what I see is what has always been expected for a man to be a man!  It has never been okay to degrade women.  Real men have always been challenged to be responsible; to support and encourage their families, their neighbors and their co-workers.  Some people may have carelessly tried to redefine what it means to be a he-man, but the truth of the matter is that men have always had this responsibility.  Real, godly men have tried to live up to these expectations – not just because some magazine or pop psychologist told us we should, but because this is what God expects of us and it is what we demand from ourselves! 
The Bible issues this challenge, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”  (I Corinthians 16:13).  Men, it is time that we stand up for and live up to our calling.  Let’s not allow those who have acted like boys in a man’s world to disparage us.  Let’s not excuse adolescent behavior, nor stand by as people pretend that it is acceptable.  Let’s take a stand against offensive behavior and restore the essence of what it means to be a man – not in the domineering, immoral, fleshly-minded pseudo-masculinity that has been brought to the word’s attention, but as God-fearing servants of the One who created us and who will judge us!  Let’s act like men!
          Think About It!

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