Last week I had a discussion with some people over an interesting topic. The question was, "what makes a man?" In true stereotype fashion things came up such as; being good with cars, the value of being big and strong, & hiding your feelings. Hmmm...well, I'm 0-3. I don't know the slightest thing about cars, I weigh 130 lbs. on a good day, and I've developed into a person who has no problem expressing emotions. So I begin thinking...What kind of man legacy am I leaving? By the stereotype definition I completely suck as a "man". Part of this is due to genetics. I graduated high school at 5'8, 108 lbs, and 1.7 % body fat. Being big and strong is out of the question. But what if there is more to it than knowing how to fix a car or being able to bench press 250 lbs. I will never be remembered for being the stereotypical man, it just will not happen and part of that is by choice...
Here is what I hope to be remembered by: I want to really make a difference. I'm not sure if it will be in the church or in the counseling world but a difference will be made. It could be through my teaching/preaching skills or listening; either way I don't care as long as it happens. Relationships are the most important thing. Bigger than sports, school, or whatever else you could throw in there because your relationships are the only things that will matter down the road. 20 years from know I won't care about my GPA or my batting average, I will be focused on rasing a family and being with my wife because those things far outlast anything else. The bottom line is I would rather be remembered for loving the people closest to me than pride myself on being a "man".
So I don't act all that manly, but that's fine with me because I know who I am and I'm not going to try to be someone else. I just can't. I will give absolutely everything I have to those closest to me...hopefully that is enough.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Im free after 7 usually...I work some nights but you can give it a shot.
Trev,
Believe me you are more of a man than a lot of guys I know. To me your first paragraph described a very "worldly," view of what a man looks like. From a Godly perspective you are a great example of what a man looks like. Believe me I have always looked up to you because you are a great example of what a "real" man should look like. I do not have a whole lot of knowledge of cars and shooting guns and what not. But I do however try to follow a biblical view of a man and I am sure that you do the same. Just remember that we are in this world, but not of this world. We are held to a different standard than the men that are of this world. Love you man! I have heard of a book called Wild At Heart and heard it was good. Maybe we should read and discuss it over next few months. Let me know what you think
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=218955&netp_id=420271&event=EBRN&item_code=WW&view=covers
I think our society has a skewed view of what truly being a "man" is. In my opinion, a man can know all there is to know about cars. He can bench press more than twice his weight and be the most cryptic guy in the world, yet if he neglects his family, is unwilling to show love/emotion (to his wife, children, family, etc.), and unable to believe that there is a God, superior to himself...he is nothing. In my book you're a man and a darn good one. You're headed in the right direction.
Post a Comment