Man Up!

Posted on Jun 17, 2013

It’s time to Man Up! This Father’s Day, I felt it imperative to define the qualities of a real leader.  To Man Up, is to be brave, to be daring, to fulfil your responsibilities despite any circumstances. It’s the difference between ACTING mature and BEING mature. The bible provides us many examples of real leaders.

Leaders must first learn to serve. Unlike leaders in the world who are often self-centered, arrogant and prideful, Jesus told us in Matthew 20:26 “whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” There is no greater example of servanthood than that of Jesus Christ.

Leaders move forward in uncertainty. In Genesis, God spoke to Abraham to leave his country, his father’s house (his comfort zone) to an uncertain land. Although his promises could come many years later, Abraham had to ‘Man Up’ and stay the course.

Leaders stand up for their people. Although Moses gave a lot of excuses when God first called him to lead the children of Israel out of slavery; he would ‘Man Up’ and demand that Pharaoh “Let my people go.”

Leaders do what’s right, even if they’re alone. In Genesis, God called Noah to build an ark while everyone else carried on as usual, in wickedness and sin. Genesis 7:1 the LORD spoke to Noah “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.” While the whole world was doing wrong, Noah had to ‘Man Up’ for what was right.

Leaders do not fear impossible odds, no matter their age. While a nation is being taunted by a nine-foot tall giant and great men feared to face him, a small shepard boy would come forward. David would ‘Man Up’ to defeat the giant with just one small stone.

There are so many more examples of leadership in the bible. Joshua never listened to people’s negatives; Saul overcame his past; Peter overcame his anger; Daniel stood by his principles in the face of death and Joseph never gave up on his dream despite difficult circumstances.

Just as God called these men to stand against all odds, it’s time for this generation, of men and women, to Man Up and be a leader! What decision will you make to save your family, to save those around you and create a strong foundation for the next generation?

You have no excuses, only choices.