Initiator
I believe it is Robert Lewis who, when defining authentic biblical manhood, says that the first trait of true manhood is to reject passivity. Why would he have to even say that? When God made "man", he meant "initiator"; someone who moves forward into the arena. Why are we each so tempted to cower in the shadows of passivity instead of boldly fulfilling our destiny as men? I believe part of the curse is our reluctance to accept our true identity. For some awful reason, we are so tempted to be passive instead of active. We're afraid to be who we really are.
It is so interesting, that when God gets ready to have the heart to heart with Job at the end of the book of Job, He says, 38:2 "Who is this that darkens My counsel by words without knowledge? 3"Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!" God must have really meant something special when He created "man", if, in preparation for a serious interaction with him, God appeals to his manhood as the necessary ingredient to be able to stand there and take the confrontation. My old pastor, Adrian Rogers used to say, "God will do business with people who mean business with Him". Getting down to serious business with God, wrestling with Him, is at the core of what God intended when He made you a man. Engage my brother! Step up!
When you go home to your family this weekend, initiate, lead, engage. Draw them to the Lord through your active prayers, your words, your attention, your example, and your loving service. My brothers, "gird up your loins like a man"!
It is so interesting, that when God gets ready to have the heart to heart with Job at the end of the book of Job, He says, 38:2 "Who is this that darkens My counsel by words without knowledge? 3"Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!" God must have really meant something special when He created "man", if, in preparation for a serious interaction with him, God appeals to his manhood as the necessary ingredient to be able to stand there and take the confrontation. My old pastor, Adrian Rogers used to say, "God will do business with people who mean business with Him". Getting down to serious business with God, wrestling with Him, is at the core of what God intended when He made you a man. Engage my brother! Step up!
When you go home to your family this weekend, initiate, lead, engage. Draw them to the Lord through your active prayers, your words, your attention, your example, and your loving service. My brothers, "gird up your loins like a man"!
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