Don't be a wuss!

From what I can tell, there has been a resurgence of traditional masculinity over the last 5 years or so. I believe individuals like Jocko, David Goggins, Joe Rogan, and Tim Kennedy have significantly helped address the issue of overly softened men in America. Yes, I said it. "Wussified" is indeed a word. Here's what it means: having traits that make you a wuss, or lacking traits that make you masculine, thus making you a wuss. These days, defining masculinity via the written word without causing offense requires a nuance of language that requires more effort than I care to give. So if any of this bothers you...you're probably a wuss.

So, we have these aforementioned fellows in the public square shouting from the rooftops what it means to be a dude and helping men improve and get better at being the best dude they can be. Dad bods are not cool. Vegans are not welcome at the table. Maybe I took that too far. You are welcome but you will be made fun of. This kind of call to masculinity is a good thing. Super dude status is achievable if you bow hunt, have cauliflower ear, and frequent the tactical shooting range. The more stoic you are, the more masculine you are. In fact, instead of crying when you feel sad, you just grunt and say "good." You drink your coffee black, your whisky neat, and you're weapons ready at all times. Did I say that right?

Don't get me wrong. I love it. I'm mocking a little but it's just how we roll as men. Remember, your welcome at the table but you will be made fun of. There are many good, noble, masculine qualities being proclaimed by these men. I admire and am grateful for men that encourage other men to embrace the parts of masculinity that are hard wired in us. You are a man. Fucking act like it. We don't wallow in our shit, cry in corners, or break down when our loved ones need us. Here's the part about this type of call to masculinity that bothers me a little. Make no mistake boys. It is a call. They are on a hilltop waving a flag..."don't be a wuss".

As Christian men, we have to be very careful about how we discuss and embrace masculinity. We must be careful because we are sheep. Easily led astray. And quick to appropriate the language of the culture that is cool and trendy. Right now, the things that we highlight as masculinity, in my opinion, are the low hanging fruit. They are things that are kind of obvious, right? Guns, gear, rolling on the mat, eating meat, ignoring your emotions, and lifting weights are not a difficult thing for a man to embrace. It appeals to that thing in us that would rather wrestle a grizzly bear than fight the enemy of self. Ever heard a man say he's into all those things because it keeps the demons away? Yea, he's talking about within himself. The enemy of self is our kryptonite. Give me the grizzle bear all day. I digress. So here's my question. When you read the gospels? Do you get the idea that Jesus would be into guns, gear, rolling on the mat, eating meat, ignoring emotions, and lifting weights? Maybe. But my suspicion is that he wouldn't have time for all of that. Being a hard man, the way that we see it, was not His mission.

Jesus was born into hostility. His country was occupied by a foreign government and His people were oppressed by an idolatrous nation. It was the definition of hard times. You think there wasn't men like Jocko, David, and Joe in Israel back then? Don't be silly. Some of the hardest dudes on the planet were right there in Israel. Hard times make hard men, right? In my mind, Israel was full of hard dudes that were ready to get rowdy and mob deep on their local roman garrison. "Hooty hoo!" Don't forget, the disciples were expecting the messiah to lead a military conquest. You think Peter wasn't down to whack some centurions and take back his homeland? Nah. Those dudes were game. If Jesus was like lets roll...they wouldn't have had nearly as many questions. And they wouldn't have been nearly as uncertain. They would've just followed. But that's not what He led them to do. So they were uncertain, questioning, disloyal, even fearful. I think that's an indicator of sorts. They knew that the path with the least amount of pain would have been the most violent to walk. And I believe they would have chosen that path. Until...they were able to really see Him. Then there hearts were changed and they walked the harder path.

Alright, so the low hanging fruit. If you can see it in a 2 minute conversation. It's low hanging fruit. Firm hand shake, calloused hands, no dad bod, the ear thing, stoic demeanor, forever squinty eyes...oh yea he's a "dude" for sure. I only mock because we usually think of self discipline in terms of the externals people see. The externals of masculinity are so good for us to pay attention to. But it's an incomplete view if it stops there. Self control is a fruit of the spirit. It's not talking about your nutrition plan or your morning workouts. I'm not saying you should give those things up. Absolutely not. But maybe you consider what is not the low hanging fruit. The externals are an indicator of self-discipline, a desire to be excellent, and a desire to win. But it also can reflect vanity, pride, a desire to be liked, fear, and control.

Think about what is not the low hanging fruit. I think the bible says something about fruit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self control. How much time do you give to that? How much time do you spend in prayer, reading your bible, and openly expressing love for others? Are you able to have a hard body and a warm heart? Would you rather fire your weapon or take a bullet for a loved one? Can you tell your friends that you love them? Do you sharpen your mind to help or to hurt?

My dudes, I want Jesus to always be in our vision of what masculinity looks like. If we're gonna #stayhard. It must without a doubt mean that we see Him when we say that to ourselves and to one another. Let's not focus on the low hanging fruit of externals. Absolutely, pick the fruit. It's dumb not to. Don't be a wuss. But, while your picking that fruit. Keep your eyes on the man at the head of the table. He is not a wuss. And He is the one you model your life after.

Give no quarter to your sin. Love without restraint.