What makes a real man? What is a real man? I was reflecting at this question while preparing for a message for a church.
Strong and driven -- this is my top description of the ultimate man. This can be a picture for an athlete or a picture of an entrepreneur. This description, I saw it watching a film a few years ago and it stick with me.
That sounded cool, but what does the bible say about being a real man?
There is one defining character that I would say would that would standout as the definition of a real man. A real man is -- giving.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only son, that whosoever belives in him shall not perish but have enternal life.
You can see that Jesus commands us to love others more than ourselves. Jesus gave his life for us. God gave his only son for us.
If you look at the universe, the sun is normally thought of as a man. And the earth or moon as woman. Sun gives light and the earth or moon is a recipient (Even our private parts, we men give while women receive). We will never think a of a baby boy as man, because a baby is too seflish and self absorbed and needy. If we think about it, giving is an expression of being a man.
I was in a relationship once with a girl. The girl was more outgoing and likes clubbing, whereas I was raised in church, typical "good" boy. We eventually broke up. I felt like that reason was that because I was raised by my parents in a certain way. I know this is not the reason but partly that was what I thought at least.
My mom and I had a conversation one night, and I was blaming her for what happened. Because I was raised like this and like that that is why I was not able to keep her. My mom instead of getting angry, told me:
Sige anak, iiyak mo lang sa akin...
I know that my mom loves me, but it was at that moment I really knew it in my heart. It was because she gave and showed love when she has every right to get angry. My mom was giving.
Ang tunay na lalaki... Mapagbigay!