Not Safe, But Good

In a world that often misunderstands and misrepresents masculinity, it's crucial to revisit what it truly means to be a man of character and faith. Our culture has painted conflicting pictures of manhood - from the overly safe and uncontroversial to the hard-drinking, womanizing antihero. But what if there's a higher calling for men? What if being a "good" man means something far more profound than being a "safe" one?

C.S. Lewis, in his beloved work "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," unwittingly exposed a fundamental truth about this dilemma. When Susan asks if Aslan is safe, Mr. Beaver replies, "Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king, I tell you." This exchange captures the essence of true masculinity - not defined by safety or comfort, but by goodness and purpose.

Our culture often values comfort and ease over character and inherent goodness. We've become so afraid of controversy or discomfort that we've lost sight of what it means to stand firm in our convictions. But the Bible calls us to a different standard. In 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, we find a powerful exhortation: "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."

These verses outline five key aspects of godly masculinity:

1. Presence of Mind and Body: "Be watchful"
Men are called to be present and engaged, not distracted by the frivolities of life. In a world full of digital distractions, we must cultivate awareness and attentiveness, especially in our homes and relationships.

2. Confidence in the Right Things: "Stand firm in the faith"
True masculinity is rooted in unshakeable conviction about what truly matters. It's about planting our flag on the mountain of truth, not on every passing opinion or cultural trend.

3. Determination to Do the Right Things: "Act like men"
This isn't about stereotypical "macho" behavior, but about growing into mature, Christ-like character. It's about having the courage to do what's right, even when it's difficult or costly.

4. Spiritual Fitness to Pass the Test: "Be strong"
This strength isn't about physical prowess, but about allowing Christ to empower us with His strength. It's a reminder that we can't manufacture true strength on our own - we must surrender to God's transforming power.

5. Sacrificial Love that Orders All Things: "Let all that you do be done in love"
Love must be the foundation of everything, but it must also be properly ordered. We're called to love God first, then our neighbors, spouses, children, and friends - each in their proper place and measure.

The world offers us distorted images of manhood - the spineless pushover, the self-centered bully, or the career-obsessed achiever. But God calls us to something far greater. He doesn't want to replace men; He wants to redeem them and shape them into His image.

Consider the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. These were flawed, often weak men who, through faith, "conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight." This is no myth or fable - it's the transformative power of God at work in the lives of men who surrendered to Him.

And what about Jesus himself? He embodies perfect masculinity - strong enough to overturn tables in righteous anger, yet gentle enough to welcome children. He promised rest for the weary but also fiery judgment for the unrepentant. He was not "safe" by the world's standards, but He was unquestionably good.

So how do we cultivate this kind of masculinity in our own lives? It starts with recognizing that we can't do it on our own. We must surrender to Christ and allow Him to shape us. We must be willing to let go of our cultural obsession with comfort and ease, embracing instead the challenging but rewarding path of godly manhood.

For grandfathers, this might mean investing in the spiritual formation of your children and grandchildren, rather than focusing solely on your own pursuits in your later years. For fathers, it's about being present and engaged, putting the needs of your family above your own desires. For young men, it means being teachable, listening to the wisdom of older men, and striving to set an example in your speech and conduct.

Ultimately, this journey towards true masculinity is not about becoming "safe" men who never rock the boat. It's about becoming good men - men of character, conviction, and Christ-like love. It's about being watchful, standing firm in the faith, acting with maturity, being strong in the Lord, and letting love guide all our actions.

As we pursue this vision of masculinity, we'll find that it doesn't constrain us - it frees us to become who we were truly meant to be. We'll discover that our strength, when tempered by love, doesn't become oppressive. Our convictions, when rooted in Christ, don't become fanaticism. Our leadership, when guided by sacrificial love, doesn't become domineering.

This is the kind of masculinity our world desperately needs - men who are not just safe, but good. Men who are willing to stand firm in their faith, act with courage and maturity, draw strength from Christ, and order all their actions in love. It's a high calling, but with God's help, it's one we can answer. May we all strive to be such men, for the glory of God and the good of those around us.