Kurt Schlichter caught my attention with an article he wrote about men entitled, “Being a man and having a traditional family is a rebel act.” He writes: “being a man – not merely bearing the physical accoutrements of maleness but actually being a man – is a rebel act. By being man, you reject the role the liberal elite has prepared for you, that of a weak, confused manchild unfit to be sovereign over your own destiny. Taking care of your family yourself repudiates them…..Raising your children as strong, independent, Americans instead of spoiled, crybullying snowflakes, repudiated them. Just being normal repudiates them.”
It occurred to me that “the Wildman journey” is a rebel act. I would like to suggest four attitudes that would be considered rebellious in our gender confused culture. A fully alive, fully awakened and fully human male will be a threat. My suggestions relate to Christian husbands and fathers. I hope these suggestions cause you to rise up in your spirit, helping you to break free from the “male box” our culture has imposed on men, sending many into a lonely, confused silence. Let us shout with the Psalmist, “We have escape like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken and we have escaped” (Ps. 124:7).
First, God has made men to be an initiator. A man who has found his male voice will be considered a rebel. In the beginning God took Adam and “put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Gen. 2:15). Later, Eve came along to be a “suitable helper.” It is definitely a rebel act to assume responsibility, taking the initiative in leading your family. Men, the “buck” stops with us not our wives. In taking the initiative we give direction, order, purpose and orientation to our family. To “move out” in loving, humble servanthood within your family takes courage and faith.
Secondly, it is a rebel act to be “a one woman man.” Men, we are to cherish our wives. “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer – may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love” (Prov. 5:18-19). We have eyes only for the one who is our bride. In a sensuous culture we say with Job, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman” (Job 31:1). We do not objectify the feminine, but rather celebrate the feminine as a compliment to our masculine. We rejoice in the unique difference.
Thirdly, it is a rebel act to say that your most important task after cherishing your wife, is to be a good Dad. Yes, we have a career along with other important outside committments. But our children have only one father. Being a dad will keep you humble. There is no real measure of success. The odds at stacked against being a God-fearing Father, who wants his children to follow Jesus. This kind of dad is swimming up stream, with little cultural encouragement. But God sees what is done in secret.
Fourthly, it is a rebel act to believe that the influence of a “tough and tender” masculinity soul is vital for the survival of our culture. By his example, a Wildman desires to be an influence on other men in a gender confused culture. He is committed to passing on to younger men a godly example, perpetuating a quiet revolt against the culture. We take as our watchword I Cor. 16:13 -14, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
Recent Comments