I don’t know about you, but I am easily energized by the grind. In fact, when summer hits, and I intentionally go at a slower pace, I find myself falling into a funk because I’m away from a vigorous schedule and routine. In both seasons, however, (the crazy pace and the slower pace), there should be great joy. Because in all seasons, our manhood is unchanging. No matter the season you find yourself in right now, remember these awesomly-ordinary things, and pursue them:
ONE: Love your wife. First and foremost, chase after her. Pursue her. Date her. Love her and hold her in high esteem. I firmly believe this is the greatest apologetic to your neighbors—how you love and pursue your spouse and children in front of them. In this, they we will see Jesus.
TWO: Lead your kids. It’s easy to fall into rhythms of being reactionary in our parenting. There is no room for margin in allowing anyone else to parent and lead our children. Teach them daily about Jesus. Do this when you eat dinner together, when you take walks, when you drive down the road, at bath time, and when you tuck them into bed. Remember, though, your life will be the greatest apologetic to your children. What’s that age old saying—Everything is more caught than taught?
THREE: Serve your local church. It’s easy to go through rhythms of serving and not serving in our local churches. As a pastor, I see this all the time. Men who don’t serve. Men who don’t lead in their local church. Men who are passive about their own growth. There is no time for this if we truly believe we are passing down the gospel to the next generation. How you lead and serve in your local church will be the greatest apologetic to the next generation in your local church.
FOUR: Pursue the Great Commission. As you develop your priorities each week/month/year (finances, schedule, etc.), develop them through the lens of your participation in the Great Commission. Are you giving to your local church? Does your local church give to global missions? Does your family participate in global missions by giving, going, and praying? This is so important. Furthermore, how are living a missional life at work? In your city? To your neighbors? These are all things that define you as a biblical man.
FIVE: Teach others to do the same. It’s not enough to live this way, but we must be men who teach other men to live this way. We must be Titus 2 men who pass down the truths of the gospel to other men—young and old alike. Who are you mentoring? Who are you discipling? Who are you bringing into your life as love your wife, lead your kids, serve your church, and pursue the Great Commission?
Again, I don’t know about you, but a man who lives in these simple, practical 5 ways has lived a life well-lived. These are the sort of things that make the enemy tremble. And these are the sort of ordinary things that bring great glory to God.
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