Articles
"The Man I Want to Be"
Public relations firms have come up with a new line when men create a public mess and then need to issue an “apology.” Here’s how it goes: “I’m going to step away from (golf [Phil Mickelson], acting [Will Smith], etc.) and reflect on the man I want to be. I am a work in progress.” When you hear the same mantra being repeated in mea culpas, you know they’ve all attended the same PR seminars.
On its face this sounds perfectly reasonable. But, being the occasional cynic that I am, such lines seem carefully crafted to resonate with a public who are, first and foremost, consumers. But such statements are issued precisely because they have an element of truth. Any man who doesn’t want to be a better man has a serious moral defect. It is a subtle way of saying, “How can you view this person (celebrity/politician/sports figure) negatively? Are you presently the man you want to be?” Thus, what sounds noble is actually a veiled accusation of hypocrisy whispered into the conscience of public opinion.
Be that as it may, we men do need to think about who we want to be. Granted, we are all works in progress, and will be until the day we die. So, where do we stand in this journey toward a godly ideal?
Do you have a mentor, role model or ideal that inspires you? Joshua had a Moses; Baruch had a Jeremiah; Timothy had a Paul; all the apostles had a Jesus. We should not underestimate how valuable a cherished example can be. Which would make a greater impact upon Joshua: listen to speeches at a leadership conference or fight battles alongside Moses; climb with him to the summit of Sinai; witness his steadfastness in the face of Israelite rebellion; etc.? Timothy could read a scroll on good character traits, or he could see how Paul handled himself when persecution, false accusations and the rigors of travel burdened his soul. Obviously, Jesus is our ultimate ideal man, but not to be overlooked is the value of a living example who models faith under duress and difficulty.
Are you being held back by negative influences? Sometimes we can be more disheartened by negative examples than inspired by positive ones. Sadly, this may come from one’s own father who wasn’t a very good role model or didn’t truly live out the principles of godliness that he publicly espoused. Character defects in teachers, coaches, colleagues, bosses and friends can all scar us and set us back if we let them. Our confidence can be crushed; our dreams can be dashed; our trust undermined. A sense of alienation can leave us feeling abandoned and adrift. If this is the case in your life, it is imperative to find a way to rid the negativity and begin to create a more positive and realistic view of who you can become.
The God who promises to work within us is a stronger influence than the humans that let us down. Consider these references from Philippians: “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure … I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you” (1:6; 2:12-13; 3:14-15). God and His Spirit are actively working with us through the examples, promises, warnings and ideals expressed in His word and through other believers to help us reach spiritual maturity.
But this does not happen without our cooperation, proactive involvement and desire to realize the potential God has instilled within us. Are you discouraged? Are you coasting? Have you lost sight of who you want to be for God? If so, it is not too late to revive your spirit and work anew at growth and development as a man of spiritual stature.
Are you afraid? It seems that Timothy was, for Paul felt the need to tell him, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7). To be honest, the world is a scary, threatening place. There are many pressures, demands and challenges that work against educating yourself to prepare to support a family; finding a faithful, dependable and loving mate; financially providing for a wife and children; etc. Sometimes it seems easier to surrender than fight the battle.
On a spiritual plane, the world seems more militantly opposed to those who try to walk by faith. There is strong opposition to upholding the moral standards of the gospel, to speaking truth, to helping others see their errors and growing through them. Being God’s man in today’s world is not for the fainthearted, vacillating, insecure and unfocused. True, we are works in progress, but progress is the key term. Admitting to being a “work in progress” can become an excuse for failure. Just who, exactly, is the man we want to be?
