When I read I have an uncanny ability to notice specific sayings or phrases, and I often find myself highlighting those phrases in order to reflect upon them at a later time. In fact, I’m embarrassed to say that I have several notebooks filled with different sayings that I have written down over the last several years. Even when I read the Word, I get almost giddy when a particular word or phrase stands out to me. This week I found myself reading a familiar passage in 1 Corinthians but as I read the passage, a particular phrase sparked my interest. In 1 Corinthians 13:11 Paul writes, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” Notice the phrase “but when I became a man…” That little phrase near the end of the verse really got my attention and the more I thought about it the more convinced I became that there are far too many boys in today’s culture and not enough men.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul makes it very clear that one cannot become a man until he is able to put away childish things. We live in a day and age where being a man is defined by your job title, the size of your house, and how many toys you own. As men, we’re programed to want the absolute best for our family and we often work ourselves to death to make sure our wife and children have the best things money can buy. While it’s certainly normal to want the very best for your family, we’ve seemingly forgotten what the Lord desires most in the midst of all the madness.  He desires for you to be more than a just another man. He desires for you to be a man of God!

In this particular passage (1 Cor. 13:11), Paul gives us men somewhat of a litmus test to determine if we meet his definition of a man. To speak, understand, and think as a child means you are simply consumed with yourself. To children, they truly believe the entire universe revolves around what they want, when they want it. It’s tragic how many grown men still have this warped mindset and are consumed with only themselves.  Men, we need more servant leaders in our homes, communities, and churches. We need men who care more about pleasing Jesus than they do about their ego, career, or social status. Men, what would happen in your home if you determined to be the spiritual leader that God intended you to be? How would the dynamics of your family and your marriage change?  It’s time we as men determine to put away childish things so we can become the man God so desires us to be. One of my favorite speakers, Clayton Jennings, wrote a poem titled “When I Became a Man.” I highly encourage all you men to take 5 minutes and watch/listen to a great word of encouragement.

Lastly, while this blog was mostly for men, I want to leave you ladies with a word of encouragement. If your boyfriend spends more time holding a TV remote than he does holding your hand, break it off. If he spends more time holding your hand than he does holding a Bible, break it off. God has a man for you. Don’t settle for a boy.

Praying for you all,
Dustin