REAL Man – Part 1- Rejecting Passivity
I went through a class with my dad as I entered my teen years called Passages. In this class, we talked through in small group discussion what a “real man” was. It has stuck with me, and especially over the past few days, I’ve been thinking about it a lot. This is one part of four blogs that I will write, dealing with the first of four qualities of a real man. While this is applicable to women as well, I guess men primarily struggle with these things.
R eject Passivity
E xpect the Greater Reward
A ccept Responsibility
L ead Courageously
Real men reject passivity. This thought has been plaguing my mind, annoyingly so, for the past few days. What does it mean to reject passivity? Why do I struggle with this idea as much as I do? I think you can find it back in sin number one in the Bible. “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” (Genesis 3:6, italics added) Adam, Eve’s husband and leader, was with her!!! The fall of humanity is occurring, and Adam just SAT THERE! He did NOTHING! I have wondered in the past why I personally struggle so much with passivity. I think all men do. Why? Because it is passed down in our DNA. And it’s infuriating.
I find this in myself often. Whether it’s having a conversation with someone that I know I should or confronting an issue that I see reoccuring, it’s hard for me to man up and be active. And yet, that’s what a real man does. As I’ve walked through this semester, I see how much Adam is in me. I see how much Adam is in us as males. What’s as disturbing is I see how much Adam is affecting the daughters of Eve, the women of our generation. As I grow up, I realize that God’s call on my life, first and foremost, is to grow up. I have to become a man before I can lead others to the same. And I, in honest moments, realize how passive I am. Some would say that I’m too hard of myself. Some would say that who I really am doesn’t match with the passivity I speak on. What I do with the small things in my life determines how I deal with the bigger things.
I remember clearly one day this past summer lending my car to my brother. While he was out, I realized he may wreck my car. I became convinced of this fact (though it was unfounded). I told myself that when it happened, I wouldn’t get angry. I resolved to love my brother. When he came back, the car was fine. The only problem was the gas tank was on empty. I flipped. I was so mad. How dare he! You see, often times I (and I would guess that it’s more than just me) assume that I can handle the big stuff, and the little stuff, well, it doesn’t matter as much. Forgiving my brother for a car wreck is important; keeping my cool when he leaves it empty is not important. Not so in the Kingdom of God! If you read the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), you discover that the one who deals faithfully with little will be put in charge of much. The one who is careless with little, even what little he has is taken from him. What banker, who has an employee who is careless with $200, would put that same employee in charge of $20,000?
My point is this: Rejecting passivity starts with the small things in life and works to the big things. A man is faithful with whatever opportunity he has. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10) True men, real men, are the ones who deal well with the small things. Gentlemen, and this is a call to myself as well, reject the notion of passivity. Move forward to an active lifestyle. Be present, aware, and involved. Be active.
