My father once shared a quote with me: “Some start early and finish late, and others start late and finish early.” This quote essentially embodies development, growth, success, and many other aspects of life. It conveys the truth that the sun may shine on some earlier than others, but it will most certainly shine on all. One day, we will all grow up.
For me, growing up came later than most. My life had always been a big daydream: I was constantly forsaking reality to escape into fantasy. Unlike reality, fantasy is always available (metaphorically speaking), and willing to offer me what my flesh desires; however, she fails to remind me that I’m married to reality, which, though not always available to give me what I want, is inevitable.
[Tweet ” Fantasy is always available and willing to offer me what my flesh desires.”]
Fantasy captures me with many seductive words:
“You have time!”
“Oh it’s not that bad.”
“How can you deny me?”
“I always make you happy!”
While reality eloquently whispers in my ear.
“You are betrothed to me.”
“Come away with me.”
“I have more for you, I am a covenant keeper!”
Lust a Fantasy, Love a Reality
As of late, though, my decadent eye has been captured by reality. Every time I propose to fantasy she prolongs. Reality reveals what I ought to be, while fantasy only robs me of the inevitable: manhood. Fantasy offers the transient pleasures of lust, while reality gives me the grown-up commitment of love.
[Tweet “Reality reveals what I ought to be, while fantasy only robs me of the inevitable: manhood.”]
All my life I have forsaken the inevitable to be enamored with frivolous and fleeting passions that this life offers. Boys love lust. They lust for power, sex and things, while men love and pursue love. This love does not insist on its own way, but dies so that another might live. This love is not about getting my fantasies, but loving the God of reality.
[Tweet “Love does not insist on its own way, but dies so that another might live.”]
You see, lust is always available, right alongside fantasy. Contrastingly, reality necessitates and demands love. As a boy, I’ve chased lust with all my might! I’ve failed to recognize that my moral and biological make-up is weakened by lust (fantasy), while it is solidified and strengthened by love (reality). Strength of character and nobility is the office that eternal love fashioned and designed for men to project and walk in. But the folly of sin has captured the mind and will of man.
[Tweet “Reality necessitates and demands love.”]
Born to Reality
The call to manhood is a call to godliness. This is why when a man fails to be a man he fundamentally forsakes his covenant with God and creation. The hope of “Thy kingdom come,” is bolstered by a fortified, God honoring manner in a fallen world; obedience to the Great Commission hinges on the existence of godly men willing to heed the call.
[Tweet “The call to manhood is a call to godliness.”]
I’m in no way promoting or enacting a revolution to manhood by the arm of the flesh. True manhood begins at the cross of Jesus Christ. This is where a man acknowledges his sin and folly before abject terror and beauty. This is where the fantasy of finding sufficiency in ourselves is replaced by the reality of finding wholeness in Christ alone.
[Tweet “True manhood begins at the cross of Jesus Christ.”]
Manhood is not the establishment or display of perfection. Manhood is intricately woven and rooted in utter dependence on God. It is a constant capitulation to the divine script of God. You know you’re a man when God no longer has to ask you, “Where are you?” like he asked Adam. A man should and must always be found in Christ.
[Tweet “Manhood is intricately woven and rooted in utter dependence on God.”]
Christ welcomes boys and makes them men, in his good timing. I’m starting late in my endeavor to become a man, but only to end with those who started early. The Son will shine on all of us. All things are possible with God!
[Tweet “Christ welcomes boys and makes them men, in his good timing.”]
Be encouraged.
Extra Tweetables
[Tweet “Fantasy fails to remind me that I’m married to reality, which is inevitable.”]
[Tweet “Fantasy offers the transient pleasures of lust, while reality gives me the grown-up commitment of love.”]
[Tweet “All my life I have forsaken the inevitable to be enamored with frivolous and fleeting passions…”]
[Tweet “Boys lust for power, sex and things, while men love and pursue love.”]
[Tweet “Love is not about getting my fantasies, but loving the God of reality.”]
[Tweet “Manhood is not the establishment or display of perfection.”]