The Distinction Is Huge

Grown men often don't think of themselves as men. They think of themselves as old boys. The distinction is huge. Boys do certain things and everyone expects them to do them and to think in certain ways in concert with this behavior. Men do certain different things and think in ways that are appropriate to those behaviors. Which comes first, thinking or acting, I don't want to argue right now. I think thinking really comes first, but acting is what we actually see.

Boys flit around from job to job, school to school, never quite getting a career other than one they are trapped into because of necessity. They often don't purchase a home because they aren't sure where they want to live. They go from woman to woman because they can't make up their mind and "what if a better one comes along just after I've picked Miss Perfect?" They go from one hobby to another, just learning enough to know about it, but never enough to really be committed to anything. Who knows if life will change and things will be different? or what if the world caves in? They drive old cars, telling themselves they are being thrifty, but in reality is because they can't make up their minds about it or because they are afraid to do things with real adu lts.

Old boys may be involved with church, but they aren't really involved with the lives of the saints, they are more into theology and Biblical discussions and wrangles. But they are committed to the Lord and may even look down their noses on those who aren't as enlightened as they in terms of Biblical wisdom and knowledge. The truth is they have lots of time to study these issues because they don't have the cumbersome duties of a family and real job.

Men lead. They make up their minds about things and stick to what they decide. Of course they do all the due dilligence to make a wise decision, but if they make a bad choice they do the right thing and see the thing through to the end. Or they "man up" and fix as much as they can while leaving with grace and humility. Men say what they think and do what they say. Men stand for things and give their lives to things. When a man wants something he works hard for it and doesn't take no for an answer, if he thinks it is a worth while goal.

Godly men stand for Christ no matter what the situation. They believe in strategic withdrawals, but they are not scampering away in fright, they are preparing another assault from another position even while moving away. When a man seeks a woman he knows enough about her to know that he will not hurt her heart, just to have the feelings she might give him. He will not single her out to her hurt. When he marries her he will do whatever it takes to make her beautiful for the rest of her life. He will lay down his life for her no matter how much it brings discomfort to his own desires. When they have children together, he will be just as diligent to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord as he is in making his wife more beautiful. But he will never let his children come between his wife and himself. Loving his children well always means loving their mother first and best. There will never be an doubt who comes first.