Musings on Masculine Spirituality pt5

So many men today need the approval of other men, which is a genuine need, that they will enter into the world of toys. The biggest truck, a bigger boat, a fancier grill, a faster car, a bigger TV, a sleeker motorcycle, men will seek the affirmation they truly need from other men by getting the oohs and ahhs as they drive by and show off their new toy. The approval is never lasting though, because they will need something bigger and better next time.

The reason they need the praise is because men really do need the approval of other men. Only masculinity can bestow masculinity, but only those who have a healthy masculinity can bestow a proper masculinity upon other men. So we are caught in a vicious circle. Men are so caught up in thinking that an apple is a orange, peach, cherry, or pear that they show off their fruit to others who believe the same thing they do, So we both compare pears thinking that they are an apple, and whoever has the biggest pear wins, until next time they compare. I think that this is what Jesus meant when he said, “do not build your house on sand.” Sand changes and shifts and is not worthy of a foundation, as with the opinions and approvals of others. If we build our identity upon the shifting sands of others’ approvals, then all it takes to knock us over is the disapproval of another. This is why Jesus tells us to build on the rock, his teaching of finding your identity within God, the ultimate apple tree.

So how and where do we find this illusive apple? As stated earlier apples bear apples. Men need to be involved in a healthy group of other men. Men who know what an apple is and is not. men who know that a pear, orange, peace, or cherry is not an apple. We need men who can speak with authority into other men’s lives, and speak life and healthy masculinity into us. We need men who can challenge us where we are weak and insecure, and support us where we have fallen. We need men who can point us to God, who is our heavenly Father, who can bring us through the process of making us men, who can plant an apple tree in our front yard, and give us the wholeness and fulfillment that only he can give.