In a previous post, I threw out the challenge for men to be well......more like men. Show up, step up and become what you were made to be. ( I sound like Elron in Lord of the Rings, "Put Aside the Ranger and become who you were born to be" )
As a man, you were made with a purpose and that purpose is to be the husband, father, friend and coworker God designed you to be. He made you to be a warrior, a champion if you will, and that is to be the champion of your wife, the hero to your kids and the model of integrity in your workplace.
But what happened along the way and how did we get to this point? The problem I see is that we need someone to blame. Matt Maher in his song, "You were on the cross" has a line that says, "would my life be any easier if I had someone to blame?" I like to blame my wife, my dad and my upbringing for what ails me. After all, behavior always happens for a reason and as long as i have a built in reason ("Wasn't me!"), I have a built in excuse to avoid maturing.
But if I want to grow and If I want to mature, I must put aside the young boy ways and accept responsibility for who I am and the choices I make. Jesus said that He came that we might have life and have it abundantly. Making excuses and refusing to accept responsibility rob you of the ability to have the abundant life. It robs you of vitality and robs you of what your were born to be. King David in Psalm 32 shares for us the insight into what happens when we dont take responsibility for our actions and shares for us the remedy when we finally come to our senses.
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.[b]
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Notice what happens to him physically and emotionally when he does not accept responsibility. He wasted away. He effectively neutered himself and along the way and forfeited his leadership and forfeited his reputation. But I love the first word in verse 5. THEN!!!!! I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity......and you forgave the guilt of my sin. God restored him emotionally and physically, which happens when we stop running, stop blaming, stop hiding and get quiet with God. I love that about Him.