Act Like a Manنموونە

The Paved Road to Purposelessville

"God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.” — Genesis 1:28

“There has to be more,” Eric said. I heard his dissatisfaction over the phone. He was struggling and had been for years. The pressure of adding another kid every few years was mounting. His oldest was almost out of the house. I listened to this stranger, the age of my dad, thinking of new mistakes the more he talked…things he’d missed, things he should’ve done, and what each kid thought of him.

If you’re like Eric, your problem isn’t your wife, kids, or situation. Your problem is you. The lost work turned into arguments with your wife. The arguments turned into sleepless nights. Now, there’s zero energy to engage the kids. They seem to enjoy the extra screen time anyway. The road to purposelessville is paved with unlimited screen time.

Eric needed to stop thinking about himself. You break free from the regret of settling by being selfless. Do you think God said, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth…” for you? He didn’t.

After researching cultures historically, anthropologist Margaret Mead said: “The chief responsibility of every society is to find healthy roles for its men.” Why? Because a culture that fails to offer men a clear masculine blueprint for good pursuits will see men dumbed down to problematic behaviors.

It’s why there’s a father shortage. Better men become better fathers. Because the math doesn’t work, some guys won’t become dads. But for most, God calls you to “be fruitful and multiply.” You should get married and have kids.

Don’t miss that getting married and becoming a dad is one of God’s most strategic ways to make disciples. It’s good work if you can get it. It’s not below you or for some other dude. Heck, even if you never marry or have kids, God still calls you to take care of animals, land, and those with absent fathers #orphans #widows.

A better man blesses God’s world with his children. Your son will be drawn to you because you point him to God and show him what a good husband is. Your daughter will love you because you point her to God and show her the standard of what to look for in a husband. Your calling is to join God in restoring what the fall destroyed. That’s the more purpose-filled road.

How are you giving life to others?