There are a couple implications to the title that I chose. It implies that number one, I am a man in contrast to a woman, and number two that I am an immature male (boy) in contrast to a mature one (man). I have come to this conclusion after the Lord has been pounding it into me all year. S. Kiley’s sermons on the myth of adolescence and the men’s night many moons ago prepped my mind for this radical change that is taking place. Originally, I think the change should have, and was intended to, come about as a result of listening to them, but my immature, foolish mind couldn’t quite grasp it. The Bible calls masculine men to be not-boy men. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” That call, now more than ever, weighs heavily upon my heart.

I am living in a culture where college students and beyond are living with the priorities of a freshman in high school (i.e. find a girl, watch TV, do what I want) and yet with the freedom of someone in their twenties. They think that being mature means having your own money to spend on yourself, being able to buy tobacco and alcohol, or being able to watch a nudity scene in a movie and not be offended, among other things. The line between a man a woman have been so skewed that many don’t see a difference between being attracted to a female or to a male, no matter what gender you are. They make money, but spend it only on themselves, because they are still discovering themselves and aren’t ready to commit to marriage. They make excuses for the mistakes that they make and won’t step up to responsibility. I am no different than these. Daily I make excuses for things that I need to take responsibility for.

The world, and more specifically the church, need young men to be leaders, men of conviction. They must take charge and be willing to sacrifice and use their authority for God’s glory. This doesn’t mean that they are to be domineering over others, but they are to serve with a selfless attitude of love, as Christ did for His church. I want to join the men of history who understood their calling to be men and have let the Lord use them for His glory.