Hollywood has pretty much twisted masculinity beyond recognition. What used to define a man seems to have little influence in many Hollywood films today, and among those is a man’s strength.
I don’t know how many of you have ever watched a movie where the male star rips off his shirt and displays his perfect physique for everyone to see. From head to toe the star is all-too-well proportioned, and his muscles are clearly defined. But do these characteristics make him a man?
Honestly, I’ve seen stronger men whose physiques were no match to those of movie stars. Their strength does not come only from their physical capabilities, but also those of their mind. They are strong from the inside out, and it is clear to those around them because these men seem to give off an aura of their strength that tells everyone that they are real men. Not fakes who only build their bodies to look good for the ladies, but men who can actually use their physical and mental strength to help people out.
Today, a “buff” guy is supposedly stronger than one that is not. While true in some cases, I’ve seen leaner guys lift heavier objects than those with more muscles. I’ve also seen buff guys scared of events that lean guys are not. More importantly, I’ve seen lean guys behave with better etiquette, responsibility, and morality than the buff ones.
So here’s the question again: do muscles and a good-looking body define a man? Is that person more capable of handling life than those ‘inferior’ to him? If he somehow loses his muscles, will that make him any less of a man?
Real strength does not come from your body. Real strength comes from your relationship with God. The closer your walk is with Him, the stronger you are. Don’t worry about your physical strength as much as you do your spiritual. A nerd can certainly be spiritually stronger than an athlete, as long as his relationship with God is solid.
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
– Isaiah 40:28-31
So what about you? Where does your strength come from? Is it merely outward and physical, or does it come from within? Your outward strength will wane and fail, but as long as you find your strength in the Lord, your spiritual strength will not run out. You are only as strong as your relationship with the Lord.
Sekel 