Quick, define masculinity. Not easy is it? How about this one, how do you identify a real man? Again, not easy. Let’s try it from the other direction, what are some wrong answers to those questions or what are false indicators of masculinity?
#1. BALLFIELD
Back in the day, the first way boys developed a pecking order was who could run the fastest, jump the highest, throw the hardest, or shoot the most free throws. Remember the first guy you ever saw dunk a basketball? He was the MAN. Then there was the first guy in your school to get recruited by a college. Bottom line was the better you were on the ballfield, the more manly you were.
But here’s the thing: everybody gets old and fat and they can’t dunk anymore or outrun a turtle, then what? Is he still a man?
#2 BEDROOM
Right around the time the ballfield is in full wing, the second false indicator shows up, the bedroom. It is physically impossible for all of the sexual conquests to have actually happened that have been bragged about in a lockerroom. Then comes college. Enough said. This false indicator of masculinity says the more casual sex you have the more manly you are.
But here’s the thing: sex is like fire, when it’s kept in the proper boundaries it’s all good, but when it’s taken out of bounds there’s damage everywhere. Plus everybody who tries this eventually discovers that when sex is taken out of it’s proper context, marriage, it becomes hollow and meaningless.
#3 BILLFOLD
The last false indicator is also the one that goes on the longest, the billfold. This one is real simple, he who dies with the most toys wins! Well, this one is also the easiest to debunk because no matter how much money you have, there’s always some guy who has more.
Society just doesn’t get it. None of these are indicators of a real man.
(3 B’s concept by former NFL player and current pastor Joe Earhmann published in “Seasons of Life” by Jeffrey Marx)
