To Become a Man – Part 2

If you recall, we declared earlier that the first step to becoming a man was to reject passivity. If we are to set our feet firmly on the path to manhood, we need to live purposefully. We need to live as if every day was important. We need to live as if every decision and every task we faced was important. If it’s important enough to do – then do it right.

If we want to live as men, then we must be engaged. The Bible tells us that we need to help those that are on the path to destruction:

Proverbs 24:11-12 Deliver those who are being taken away to death,
And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.
If you say, “See, we did not know this,”
Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts?
And does He not know it who keeps your soul?
And will He not render to man according to his work?

Passivity has many causes. It could be a lack of encouragement, hope, means or willpower; fear, negativity or just plain laziness. In any case, movement or growth is halted. One of the first things we need to learn to do is to take action. I once had a boss tell me he’d rather I made a mistake than do nothing. If something needs doing, do it! If it is something no one else wants to do – do it! I often take the dirty job, or the one everyone else shuns. I am paid to work – not to debate about what to work on. I take the hardest tasks, the most difficult assignments and the dirtiest jobs; and, I get them done and done well. And, I am sought after.

I am always moving. Dust has no time to settle under my feet. Have you ever watched people as one after another will walk past something on the floor and no one will stop and pick it up or dispose of it? They will go to great lengths to not have to do something. They’ll dance a little side step to avoid stepping on it. They may jump over it. They’ll look the other way – if I don’t look at it, I don’t have to deal with it. Why not go straight to it and pick it up and dispose of it? If there’s a puddle on the floor, clean it up. If the trash is overflowing – take it out. Stop procrastinating and get whatever it is done.

Don’t blame others for the way things are. Don’t blame others because you now have an opportunity to make a difference. Don’t waste energy trying to get out of doing something that needs doing. Just do it. Be decisive and take action. In both very small things and in large things. Remember,

A real man rejects passivity.

I heard a wise man say, if we do not have a plan then every crossroad requires a decision. Make up your mind about a few things that are important to you. If you think it’s wrong for a man to gamble – then don’t! If you feel it is important to be patriotic – go all the way and love your country. If you want to become a man of honor, integrity and valor then determine in your heart and mind what you will and won’t do to become one. Then, in every activity, stick to your convictions and values and move toward that goal.

Every day should see some movement toward the goal. Passivity will prevent that and eventually kill that dream. Become men of action and learn to become men of honor, of integrity and of valor. Become men of courage and hope.

Oh dear heavenly Father, please help us to set our sights high and then to reach for them every day. Please help us to live honorably with truth and humilty. Help us to help those less fortunate than we are and help to rescue the lost and free those bound in slavery. Help us Lord to become mighty men of God! I pray in the name of Jesus, the Holy Anointed One! Amen!