Thoughts from the Heart
BY: Joseph Smith
2012 September 25
0330 hrs:

True Measures of Manhood

The thought of calling an adult male "boy" is enough to cause a fight in some circles and at the very least will start a man's heart to racing, especially depending upon the connotation. We won't even mention the repercussions from hearing this historically demeaning title across racial lines. The point is, no real man wants to have his manhood diminished. But what about having your manhood increased? Let's look at the typical indexes for manhood. In the gym, some will measure it by how much you can lift or bench; on the court by how many hoops you can make; or on the field by how many yards in rushing. Whatever your game, you are said to be "the man" by how well you play. Well, how are you doing in the game of life? Meaning, when is the last time you checked your score on the true measures of manhood... humility and obedience. It is easy to fix your financial, political, educational or spiritual muscles to assert, "You have it going on" or as proof you can carry more than your weight in manliness. However, the truth, manhood is not demonstrated by how high you are, rather how low you can go. Let me point you to the biblical reference of Gideon trying to select men of strength and courage to go to war against the Midianites in Judges chapter seven. He started with 32,000 men who presented themselves as courageous, but when put to the test, 22,000 turned back and of the 10,000 remaining, only 300 were fit for battle. What was the measure of their suitableness? "Humility". These 300 men were being tested according to God's instructions to Gideon, "Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, this one shall go with you, he shall go, but if I say, this one shall not go with you, he shall not go." Therefore Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink" (Judges 7:45). In this, the boys were divided from the men. God is doing the same thing today. Have you faced some seemingly overwhelming obstacles, are you trying to overcome old habitual behavioral patterns, negative thinking or destructive relationships?? Or are you having difficulty forgiving past hurts and letting go of offenses? The battle is waging against you and only fearless and strong men will be victorious; and the question is: how low are you willing to go? Get down in a prostrate position. Notice the men had to be taken to the water, which represents life. The men, unlike the boys, were willing to get down in a prostrate position, devoid of pride, to take in the water. Humble men carry the weight of life effortlessly because they cast everything with the Lord, they can easily acknowledge their faults, take instruction and obey authority. Obey, you say. "Well, I'm grown." Yes, I said obey. Obedience is another crucial measurement of true manhood. Humility is a matter of hearth attitude while obedience is the behavior stemming from this attitude. I have already called the master physician - "God" - is available and has scheduled your date and time. The attending nurses, Grace and Mercy, are here for your assistance. All you have to do is report to the water brook and lay down to drink. Yes, lay everything pertaining to boyhood down and rise up into manhood. This, my brother, is the word, and in Jewish love I give it to you.