5 Mandates for the Godly ManSample

Be Strong

"Have a good day and remember, no matter what, I will always be there for you." A father said, gazing lovingly into his son's eyes. The child turned away with a smile and ran off to school. Hours later a massive earthquake devastated his sons' school. Thousands of casualties were gathered and reported as he hurried to the school grounds.

The father passed by the onlookers and stepped up to the demolished remains of the school building. He began digging. One parent shouted, "What are you doing? The building isn't secure. You're going to make it worse!" But the father was decisive and intentional, "I'm digging for my son," he said, brushing off the man's hands. 38 wearying hours after arriving at the school, the father moves a brick and hears a faint voice. "Son, is that you?" he yells. "Papa, it's me!" his son yells back through the heaps of rubble, in a muffled yet reassuring voice. The father reached his hand down and said, "Come out, son!" but his son replied, "Let the others out first! I know you'll save me." 

Later, as he held his boy, the father began to think about how selfless his son was. Why would his son stay back while other kids were saved right before his eyes? The answer lies within his boys' confident statement, "I knew you would always be there for me!" Words that his loving father would never forget.

In 1988 the Armenian earthquake killed 25,000 people. Due to a father’s strength and unshakeable determination, his son and fourteen other fortunate kids wouldn't be part of that number. Do you ever feel like a ton of bricks just fell right on top of you? How do you get out from there? Do you wait for the bricks to fall away? Or do you start digging? "Be strong" is the fourth Mandate of Manhood. Having faith and confidence in our Father, while also being there, and being strong, for those around us.

Life doesn't always go as planned, and God calls us to "Be Strong" for that reason. Being strong is more than just physical. Paul is referring to spiritual and mental strength as well. He is speaking of the grit that is required to persevere amidst the challenges of life. Always being there for family means ALWAYS being there, as the father above routinely told his son. That requires a determined and unshakeable inner strength! 

That's what we do! And of course, knowing that all strength comes from our rock, the Lord only equips us better.