Who Are You?...Really?
So I have 13 more days until I turn 21...Wow. I remember when I was little and couldn't WAIT to be 21. Just so I could say I was a "woman". Now, I still look 16, so I'll still have that "issue"...But like everyone has said..."You'll appreciate it when you're older".
I used to question that just because you've reached a certain age, does that really make you a man/woman? Absolutely not. But that's what the world will tell us. So what really makes a woman? What really makes a man? These are questions I've been asking myself for a while. Everyday I am challenged to make certain decisions that will always affect me in the future. Actually, not just me...but everyone around me as well as my future spouse & family. I'm constantly having to examine myself to see if I'm truly making progress in the areas I've prayed to God for.
As society has taught us very well, you are finally a man or woman when you have responsibilities. When you have a job, bills, are out on your own and are doing things your parents used to do for you. But does that really qualify someone as a true man or woman? Some would argue yes, and to a degree I will say so myself...being an adult does require a great amount of responsibility and independence...but I think what most of us are forgetting is that God could care less about how many bills you have, what kind of job you are at and whether or not you are still at home or are finally on your own...those are not the things He looks at. Those are not the measures of a man, nor the measures of a woman. So what are?...As I said earlier, this is a question I've been asking myself a lot and this is what I'm coming to know.
Clearly, I am not a man, but I do know what a true man of God looks like. So I will only speak of my observations and what I know to be a real man and what God considers a man after His own heart.
A great example of a real man for me is obvious...my dad. I have known no greater man than him. He is certainly a man after God's own heart for sure. Someone who examines himself day in and day out. He cares so much about other people and always puts himself last. And it shows. I constantly hear stories about how much my dad is respected and how much integrity he has. What's so awesome about my dad is that he's never been the kind of person who's out to get noticed for his good deeds, and yet, he's always recognized in some way. It's crazy because he's always taught us do things even if nobody's watching...don't do them to say, "look at me, look how great I am" because then it becomes all about us...gosh, I could go on and on about my dad...he has such a humble heart.
I define my dad a real man not by how much he knows about cars or works on our house, but by how much his life mirrors God in his everyday life.
I can say the same for my mom. She has taught me what it means to be real woman. Despite how many magazines are out there telling me if I just get this one thing or to "try this!", those will never measure up to God's expectations for my life. It irritates me so much when I see articles about how to become more alluring to a guy or see pictures or commercials of the latest trends to help you look older. I won't say I'm completely innocent, when I was in high school I loved reading about "how to attract the right guy" or wearing the latest fashions...but where did that get me in my walk with God? Nowhere. I'll even admit that because I have my insecurities of not looking my real age, I shop for (modest) older clothing, but that shouldn't consume my thoughts and lead me to believe that when I LOOK the part, I'll BE the part.
So what I've come to realize as I've gotten older is that...sure, you may look the part, but are you?...Who are you?...Really?
I used to question that just because you've reached a certain age, does that really make you a man/woman? Absolutely not. But that's what the world will tell us. So what really makes a woman? What really makes a man? These are questions I've been asking myself for a while. Everyday I am challenged to make certain decisions that will always affect me in the future. Actually, not just me...but everyone around me as well as my future spouse & family. I'm constantly having to examine myself to see if I'm truly making progress in the areas I've prayed to God for.
As society has taught us very well, you are finally a man or woman when you have responsibilities. When you have a job, bills, are out on your own and are doing things your parents used to do for you. But does that really qualify someone as a true man or woman? Some would argue yes, and to a degree I will say so myself...being an adult does require a great amount of responsibility and independence...but I think what most of us are forgetting is that God could care less about how many bills you have, what kind of job you are at and whether or not you are still at home or are finally on your own...those are not the things He looks at. Those are not the measures of a man, nor the measures of a woman. So what are?...As I said earlier, this is a question I've been asking myself a lot and this is what I'm coming to know.
Clearly, I am not a man, but I do know what a true man of God looks like. So I will only speak of my observations and what I know to be a real man and what God considers a man after His own heart.
A great example of a real man for me is obvious...my dad. I have known no greater man than him. He is certainly a man after God's own heart for sure. Someone who examines himself day in and day out. He cares so much about other people and always puts himself last. And it shows. I constantly hear stories about how much my dad is respected and how much integrity he has. What's so awesome about my dad is that he's never been the kind of person who's out to get noticed for his good deeds, and yet, he's always recognized in some way. It's crazy because he's always taught us do things even if nobody's watching...don't do them to say, "look at me, look how great I am" because then it becomes all about us...gosh, I could go on and on about my dad...he has such a humble heart.
I define my dad a real man not by how much he knows about cars or works on our house, but by how much his life mirrors God in his everyday life.
I can say the same for my mom. She has taught me what it means to be real woman. Despite how many magazines are out there telling me if I just get this one thing or to "try this!", those will never measure up to God's expectations for my life. It irritates me so much when I see articles about how to become more alluring to a guy or see pictures or commercials of the latest trends to help you look older. I won't say I'm completely innocent, when I was in high school I loved reading about "how to attract the right guy" or wearing the latest fashions...but where did that get me in my walk with God? Nowhere. I'll even admit that because I have my insecurities of not looking my real age, I shop for (modest) older clothing, but that shouldn't consume my thoughts and lead me to believe that when I LOOK the part, I'll BE the part.
So what I've come to realize as I've gotten older is that...sure, you may look the part, but are you?...Who are you?...Really?
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