This several days, I’ve been reading a Joshua Harris’ book titled Boy meets Girl…It’s a wonderful book and fully recommended!!! ^__^ Since I’ve been so blessed by this book, so let me quote and share several points out: “ Eve was not taken out of Adam’s head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him.” A challenge to the Boys: Be Godly Men!! Elisabeth Elliot wrote to her nephew Pete, “The world cries for men who are strong – strong in conviction, strong to lead, to stand, to suffer. I pray that you will be that kind of man – glad that God made you a man, glad to shoulder the burden of manliness in a time when to do so will often bring contempt.” Do you want to be that kind of man?? (My self, as a lady, encourage u to be that ‘kind’ of man and will be very glad if many of u do!!^__^) Maybe you have a long way to go. Fail more often than succeed. You let your sin, your fear and your laziness get the best of you, but…. don’t you want to change?? God has made a man for a reason. No matter what culture says, or even what some women says, please be gladly to ‘shoulder the burden of manliness”.
A man’s biggest temptation is to be passive, some books even encouraged men to be passive in relationships. (liat aja buktinya, cewek jaman sekarang malah yang nguber2 cowok2 tul tidak?)
The only alternative to passivity is being aggressive and overbearing. Sadly, these are the two courses many men take. But God wants you to reject both of them. Biblical masculinity is neither passive nor rudely aggressive.
God calls you (men) to be SERVANT INITIATORS – firm but gentle, masculine yet caring, leaders yet servants. You’re called to be protectors, not seducers!
Here are some practical ways u can do these things in your relationships with women:
1. Assume the responsibility of leading and initiating in your relationships with women
Leading is form of serving. This doesn’t mean that you treat women as if you were their husband and the one to lead them in important life decisions. Until you’re a woman’s husband, she is under no obligation to submit to your leadership. But while you shouldn’t overstep your bounds, you can serve a woman (and win her trust for the future) by leading and initiating in small ways. For example, you can serve your ‘sisters’ by being the one to plan times together. As for a woman, what a burden it is when her male friends sit around waiting for women to plan everything. “I don’t like it when a man sits there asking ‘So what do you want to do?’”
We (women) want you to make a decision!! As you can see, servant leadership requires work. It means sacrifice. It means listening, taking others’ interests and needs into account, and adjusting as necessary. It means deferring to others at times.
Leadership isn’t tyranny, it’s service rendered. It’s difficult, but it’s a big part of what it means to be a man.
2. Be spiritual leader in your relationship with women
Men should set the spiritual pace in your relationships with women. You should be the ones to make sure that your relationships aren’t merely superficial and entertainment oriented, but deep, God focused, and characterized by biblical fellowship. The first important step is to make your own personal growth in godliness a priority. Don’t be content to be spiritually lukewarm – strive to set an example of passion for God. Don’t be a spiritual show-off!!
Set your goal to serve your friends and enrich your own life. ….So men, just practice leading!! Then you’ll be that much more prepared to do so with your wives and children.^__^
3.
4. Encourage women to embrace godly femininity
Men should be the biggest encouragers and prayer warriors for women who are seeking to glorify God by practicing godly femininity.
When a girl is pursuing a demanding career, but is still being feminine, let her know that you notice. Let her know you respect her!
When you see a woman going against the grain of culture by cultivating a skill that will serve her family someday, compliment her! When they make room for you to practice leadership, thank them! When they are humble and gentle, encourage them!
Femininity is not weakness. It requires great strength of character for a woman to be gentle in an age that screams for her to do otherwise.
So gentleman, look for ways to encourage your sisters in godly femininity!!! ^_^
