Christian artist, Josh Baldwin, has recorded a song entitled, “Full grown man.” The title and the song itself, stuck me as a song that would relate to men. I like Baldwin, not only for the content of his songs, but the manner in which he performs. I have a sense that his masculine manner connects with many younger men.
As a seasoned follower of Jesus, who embraced the Christian music during the “Jesus Movement,” I compare Baldwin to one of my favorites during those early days of revival, the voice of Don Francisco. His music, the words and the manner in which I experienced Francisco’s ministry, spoke to my masculine soul, especially the song, “Adam, where are you?” At that time I was still a young man learning to enter into manhood. I knew very little about my masculine soul.
Baldwin’s style and lyrics speak to a lost and confused male audience, with the continuous refrain, “He was a full grown Man at a very young age.” “He was Son of God, Son of Man/ Who walked the earth to heal this land/ He lived and died, rose to save/ A full grown Man at a very young age.” “At thirty-three He gave His life away/ As a full grown Man at a very young age/ He died a full grown Man at a very young age.” The song ends with these liberating words for a young man to hear. “And on the cross He offered His life as the altar/ So I could live free.”
I thought of Hebrews 5:8 -9, when thinking of Jesus as a full grown man. “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and once made prefect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” Jesus became a full grown Man at a very young age. He, “offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission” (Heb. 7:7).
Peter exhorts us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” ( I Peter 2:21). I am grateful for Jesus being, “obedient – even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). His Father affirmed His only Son, at thirty years of age, when he began his ministry, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).
For men, Jesus is our our example. We are to keep our eyes on Him. He was full grown man, at a very young age. I had my personal struggles during my 20’s and early 30’s. There was a time at the age of 28, when I wondered if I was a full grown man. My experience in life seemed to be pointing me in a positive direction. Yet there was a great deal more to learn about my own personal masculine soul. Now at 84, I am finishing the journey. I am humbly grateful to the Lord, for guiding me into the awareness that I am affirmed as a man, before my heavenly father.
The more I read about Gen Z, the more I sense a deep burden to pray for them on the masculine journey. When and how will they know they are “full grown men.” Sports commentators often describe a football players, playing as full grown men. The tragedy in America, finds young men searching emotionally and spiritually; wondering if they are “full grown men.” We desperately need full grown men to be models for the younger generation of “lost boys.”
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