| | "Breaking News! Extra! Estra! Read all about it!"
So reads the headline on the front page of a news paper. This is the way important news comes to most of us, and this is what we look for. But what about the deeper things? The more thoughtful things, or much more complex issues? Often times it just passes us by, sadly. Ironic, really... that in this age of information we can be so unaware of the unreported news. Important news. The news of man!
Man. Anthropos. Sometimes used to clarify the entire human race, as in Mankind. But this time we're speaking of the male race, or better written as guys. One of the ways you know something is very important is when it comes at you over and over again from all different directions. I have been hearing and reading of this topic in so many different places over the past week, that I just feel compelled to write about it today.
I think it's common knowledge that there is a lack of capable guys today. We talk about the need for men in the church. We talk about men in Government, and in the work force today. We need strong men to lead families, who love their wives and are committed to their children. We need men to turn this nation around, and what do we get? The majority of guys in most circles are wimps. Men are turning themselves into women, for crying out loud! And we ask who's to blame for the feminist movement today?
Now... that's probably the common viewpoint, isn't it? In scrolling through my subscriptions list, I read several posts bemoaning silly boys, and jerks. But there's more... and there's hope!
A few days ago I was in a chat with two awesome guys that I know. It was really great to talk with them, because they were such strong men. I realized then what I have missed in these past years. Since my older brothers left in 2005, I haven't had much of the camaraderie and fellowship with guys like me. I know a lot of them, but other then a few select here and there the majority of them are quiet, and rather suppressed. Not that they aren't great people of course, but I find that among them I am often the one initiating most of the conversation, and ideas. Now we all know people like this, and it's not necessarily a bad thing. But if everyone is quiet and laid back, who is going to lead anything? At the risk of seeming hyperactive or dictatorial, I end up leading everyone all the time. Now not only is this not always good for the people I'm with, it's also not good for me either. I have times where need to follow too, and I sometimes have trouble with that. These things need to be properly balanced, and everyone needs to learn to be a leader once in a while.
Once again, there is still more, and there is still hope. I have been in a worldview study group recently, and I am very glad to see that half of the people there are guys. And half of those guys are pretty active, too. That's good compared to many of your average youth groups, too. And in our church our pastor has been giving praises about the many active men in the church. We have a medium sized church, of about 200 people, and there are about 20 men who have active duties and shifts. That's really good compared to many churches, too.
Lastly, another very important issue... the relationship between guys and girls. This is most likely the largest contributing factor to guys being labeled as jerks. Far to few men these days know how to properly relate to girls and ladies. For one thing, most of them can't talk. It's either excessive shyness, or just plain cowardice. Either way, it's unacceptable. On the opposite side, you have guys who just don't care, and have no respect for girls at all. I see this all over the place, ranging from guys who don't speak properly to girls, to two guys I saw walking home from school who were pushing this girl all over the road. Yet I have been greatly encouraged by a number of email updates I have been getting from the Generation Joshua Forums on the Chivalry thread. Here you have both guys and girls talking together about what chivalry means, and how it applies to our daily lives. From opening doors, to carrying bags, defending the honor of ladies, and ultimately the backbone of chivalry... respect. Like all other things it is a hearts attitude and a proper mindset. It means knowing how to show love and honor to girls without making them feel inferior, or threatened. I am just very glad to see people who are interested in these things.
So as I said, this is indeed a thoughtful and complex topic. We need to be very careful in addressing this that in talking about the need for one sex we don't completely gloss over the other. When I say we need men in government, the workforce, and families today I am in no way saying that women can't or don't do these things too. Basically, I don't believe in classifying a women's "place." It is God who governs the affairs of men and women alike, and he can raise up either of them for His glory. It's up to us to do all we can both jointly and individually to advance His kingdom.
So to all your girls who talk or write about these things, thank you for being awesome and amazing, and thank you very much for your concern. Keep on working to be beautiful and worthy in the sight of God. This is your world as much as anyone else's, and this is your future. You deserve to settle for nothing other than the best! That's why the girl ultimately has the final decision of marriage in our society today.
And to all of us guys, just remember what we're up against. We are ones who have to fight the battles today, and we are the ones who have to be worthy. To those of you who care, and to my good friends I was talking to the other day, thank you for standing in a time when men run. If we stand together, we have an opportunity to effect change, and to make a difference! Always know who you are and what is required of you. We have a lot to live up to, men.
And so I close with the words of the poet Longfellow, in his poem The Psalm of life. Let it be an inspiration to all of us to persevere, and to prevail!
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
Go in grace and peace... and make a difference!
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I know I should let him do it... I'm so bad. *hangs head*
