Manliness

October 22, 2007 in Manhood, Sanctification

Yesterday, the sermon at church was on the leadership of the church — elders and deacons. Then, last night we had our men’s ministry meeting. Going through the biblical qualifications for an elder, and the criteria of a biblical man, I see a number of things in myself I need to work on.

Passivity/Responsibility — I often push back from taking on additional responsibility. And I can be a generally passive person at times. I need to work on this, being wise of course to not overload myself. As a man I want to actively pursue God’s calling and the desires he has given me. This blog is part of that, because I have always wanted to write more, especially creatively.

Self-Control — I often lack self-control. I have trouble controlling the amount of the what eat. I have trouble getting myself out of bed in the morning. But self-control describes part of what makes a biblical leader — a biblical man.

Temperance — No, not drinking. This is an emotional category for me. I am a generally sensitive person. I feel things deeply many times, and often my emotions can dictate my actions. If I feel depressed or stressed, it seeps out — and sometimes explodes out. This has been a struggle recently, especially at work. I am feeling the stress and tiredness of waking up at 4:30 a.m. a lot of mornings, maintaining school, this blog, and spending time with Laura. It’s getting to scholastic crunch time, and it all adds up. I had to ask a professor for an extension on a paper for the first time ever. All of this adds to my moodiness. But a godly man, a man qualified for eldership, must not be ruled so easily by his emotions. He must be temperate.

I have a lot to do. I could add much more, I’m sure, to this list. But this is a good place to start identifying ways I must grow in godliness.