“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” – 1 Cor. 16:13 NASB
My discussion today has more to do with the post title than the Scripture, but I like to include the Word when I can (even if it’s only loosely applicable). The above Scripture is only referenced due to the phrase “act like men,” which I believe highlights the expectation of masculine behavior. This post will be less formal than usual–and instead, encouraging and conversational–so please bear with me.
Sometimes as men we’re doing our best to hold everything together…even if things are falling apart. Somewhere in life, we got the impression holding everything together was the way a man represented strength. Occasionally, I am reminded of my tendency to behave like this. I have those days where my best effort isn’t good enough. I’m overwhelmed by personal and perhaps, work-related circumstances. Or I’m simply frustrated spiritually because I want to do the will of God and things keep falling out of place. Further compounding days like these is the fact that my family’s needs come before my own (this should be a truth statement for all godly husbands). If this isn’t a recipe for serious prayer, I don’t know what is!
I had one of those days not long ago and I was reminded of the need for serious prayer. No, not some quick, “task-complete” prayer, but one where you can petition God in a heart-felt manner knowing your strength comes from Him. So when we have an exhortation from Paul like Scripture above cites and the “acting like men” is understood according to the outcome, we recognize that Christ is our source. The truth of the matter is that we need God for strength. Hence, to “man up” we must first “kneel down.”
I encourage all readers (especially men), don’t rely on your strength or place unnecessary pressure on yourself to perform, rather, trust in God to “hold it all together” as you faithfully rely on Him and His mercy.
-Van