Ok, sometimes I am really confused and frustrated by things that are outside of my control. This is one of those times. I just got finished reading an article on www.boundless.org on some stuff about relationships and marriage. It's mostly talking about how in our generation, people are hitting puberty faster than ever, but getting married later in life than ever before...and the kind of effect that this is having on the amount of pre-marital sex that is happening in the church now.
There's a big gap in the middle called adolescence...I'm pretty sure it's a 20th-century American creation. You've got a bunch of pseudo-adults running around wanting the privileges of adulthood while still living in Mom's house or on Mom's dollar. Guys aren't preparing themselves for marriage, fatherhood and adult life and no one in society is forcing them. I want to throw up my hands and slap some faces...
I really don't understand why my gender insists on living in the middle for so long. Maybe it's cause I hit the magic 25 mark and now I'm really starting to see the brevity of life, or maybe it's because it really is a problem.
I'm living life on purpose now, have been for a while. I'm not going out and looking for a wife, but I'm preparing myself to be the kind of man my future wife wants to marry. I love kids! I am looking forward with great anticipation for fatherhood someday. Obviously, there are many steps and phases of life between now and then, but when that day comes I will welcome it with open arms. So many guys I know are just not interested in even talking about that, and I don't understand why.
I have a lady friend who is convinced that men are more complicated than women. I've been trying to argue with her and explain my case, but the more I think about it, the more I agree with her. At least women carry their complications around in their purse and on their face. Men are pretty sneaky with our complications. You'll never see them until it counts, then they spring out like the Jack-in-the-box.
So what does all this mean? Is there something we as a Christian sub-culture can do to equip our young men to be intentional, to be consciously developing characteristics of biblical manhood, and to be preparing themselves to lead a wife and family someday soon? I think the answer is that those of us who are a bit older need to lead by example, and also take the effort to disciple those a bit behind us on life's journey. Certainly none of us are perfect, but living every day life for God's glory and purpose is easier if you're not alone. Just a thought...
Most of this post is just me thinking through my fingers and onto my computer screen, so I'm not sure if I can tie this up and put a bow on it. Let's just say that I am definitely looking forward to the post-college phases of life and every single step along the way.
The real challenge is finding the satisfaction and joy in the seconds, hours, days and months between now and then. I love a good challenge... ;-)
Blessings...
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