International Men’s Day

Last year, in honor of the International Men’s Day, I wrote this. It was an attempt to remind men of the desire of God when He created Men.

This year, the theme for International Men’s Day is ‘Positive Male Role Models’  This theme packs quite the bunch, and to a very large extent, it is addressing a crisis that has overtaken men for several years.

Is there a portrait for Men? Who is a Positive Male Role model? What are the indices that describes such a model?

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

John 5:18 (KJV)

The Portrait for men is Fathers.

Father-shaped-Men.

The measure of a man is his father – or ought to be his father. What does this mean? The verse above captures the response of the Jews in the day, Jesus told them that God was his father. They were wroth with him. Why?

Because they understood what he meant. They understood that, in Jesus saying God was his father, he was implying at he was equal with God. This means that a man is viewed after the order of his father.

A man is not different from the man that fathered him. It’s not that the man is the same as his father, but rather that the man is shaped according to the mold of his father.

He is equal, not necessarily because of what he currently is, but because he has the same possibilities as his father and when he is fully formed, he is going to be as his Father. The highest model of Men are their Fathers. Father-shaped-Men.

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

John 8:44 (KJV)

Further, we find Jesus making a very clear point here. He ties the action of children of the desires of their father. This is a very significant point, which provides us with a reason why a lot of young men struggle through life. Why they struggle with authority, discipline, focus, vision, ambition and stability. It’s because they weren’t raised by men who had clear wills.

I’ll explain.

When a son is growing up, it critical for his development and sense of manhood to be raised by a father that engages and makes room for him to participate. Be it as the father works around the house, and as the passage of time allows, to be involved in family business or a part of what that father does if possible.

It forges a sense of purpose and responsibility in the son. The idea is, in the formative years of his life, the son is not idle or wondering what his place or role in life is. Rather, he can start by being occupied with doing the will of his father. By doing the things he sees his father do.

So, what makes a father a positive model?

Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12 (AMP)

There are five basic areas that form the frame of reference in evaluating the ‘positiveness’ of a father as a model. When we evaluate if a man qualifies to be a model for other men, the Apostle Paul gives us some insight to guide us: He outlines Speech, Conduct, Love, Faith and Purity.

Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

Isaiah 51:2 (KJV)

The highest portrait of a role model for men are Fathers. Men who have been forged with the heart of and into the shape of Fathers. This has nothing to do with age or biological progeny. It’s an inner working of the heart with consistent outworking in character and conduct.

Men need Men; For those who were not privileged to be raised by men that were positive role models, it’s tough. I encourage you to actively find one and submit to him.

And to the men who are Fathers – find other men and pour your life into them. Give them shape. Help them find meaning and purpose. It’s your turn to be a positive male role model.

Happy Men’s Day. It’s time to wake up and respond appropriately.