A Real Man
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in his commandments. His seed will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed. — Psalms 112:1-2
You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. — Ephesians 6:4
Author
Dr. Roberto Miranda
Summary: Healthy masculinity reflects the tender, merciful, and strong heart of Jesus. A real man does not prey on others, abuse them, or impose his strength; he protects life, defends the weak, provides for his loved ones, and sacrifices himself for them. We are called to be fiercely loyal to our families and communities, while also mentoring and caring for others. Even if we are not biological fathers, we can exercise a spiritual fatherhood that provides protection and blessing. Let us choose tenderness over brute force and be attentive husbands, generous fathers, and mentors willing to share our time and talents. As we embody this compassionate masculinity, God will strengthen and renew us, and cause our blessing to reach future generations.
The natural inclination of an emotionally healthy man is to be tender and merciful. A man who possesses a healthy sense of personal identity is naturally protective and compassionate. God has made us protectors; he has made us defenders of life. A man who is a predator, an abuser, or an oppressor is living a deformed life, outside his true nature.
A man who has the heart of God and God’s healthy masculinity is a protector of life. He shelters and defends his own, stands in the face of danger, provides for them, and blesses them. He takes food out of his own mouth to give it to his wife and children. That is a healthy, masculine man. He is not someone who goes around like a macho pimp, fathering children left and right or aggressively imposing his masculinity within the home. That is what the world teaches us. But a truly healthy man is merciful and compassionate. He blesses the weak; he throws himself over the helpless to shield them from an incoming projectile. That is a healthy man, and that is the nature of Jesus.
We must be fathers who are fiercely loyal to our children, our wives, our homes, and our neighborhoods. We must mentor others and serve as their guardians. Perhaps you are not a biological father today, but God nevertheless wants you to be someone’s spiritual father, sheltering them with your healthy, strong masculinity. God has a purpose for your life, and that purpose is to discover and protect life. God wants you to be a channel of his grace here on earth, embodying the tender and compassionate nature of Jesus Christ, his balanced masculinity.
God wants fathers like that—men who shelter and protect someone or something. The world needs that example, and if we conduct ourselves that way, God will bless us, prosper us, and strengthen us. He will grant us a vigorous, lucid, joyful old age, because what we sow in our youth later blesses us, and that divine blessing will continue to reverberate through future generations.
There is a blessing for us as men when we choose tenderness over domination and brute force. When we choose the meek and tender character of Jesus, the strength and power of Jesus also become part of our personal makeup.
For the good of our society, and for our own good, let us choose a generous masculinity. Let us be tender and generous fathers, attentive and loving husbands, and mentors who are always willing to share our time and talents with someone who needs them. God will never tire of blessing and renewing us, so that we may have even more to share.