A Study of a Man

I’m going to pause for a moment in my current flow of blog posts, and offer you a look into the heart and life of a real man. I’ve discussed many things that are relevant and important for men to know, but haven’t offered up any examples. The first and foremost example, which this man kept his eyes upon his whole life, is Jesus Christ. Don’t let media and culture fool you into thinking that Jesus was a wuss – He was God and man, perfect in both. Jesus Christ was meek and mild, but the Bible paints a picture of the Warrior King who will come again to subdue the earth – Jesus was everything that we should seek to be as men.

That being said, the man I am going to tell you about is a man I knew well; he was my grandfather. Born in 1927, shortly before the Great Depression, he learned how to be a good steward of what he had. I never knew him to be wasteful, and never once saw him take what he had for granted. He grew up on a farm, knowing the value of hard work.

At the seemingly young age of 18, he married my grandmother. Hearing them talk about life, even after WWII had ended, they were never rich in material possessions, but knew that their treasure would be stored up in heaven. As they settled down and began a family, my grandfather filled the role of “Man of the house”. My grandfather never stopped showing his wife love as long as he was able; he helped show me what it meant to love your wife as Christ loved the church.

My grandfather was the father of five children; four girls and a boy. One of the greatest gifts he and my grandmother gave was the heritage of their faith; all five of their children, and the majority of their grandchildren, and even their great-grandchildren trust in Jesus Christ as their savior. Men, as you begin to build your family, meditate upon the blessings of a family that trusts in Christ. If you were raised in a Covenant household and were taught Christ from a young age, you know what a blessing it is. If you weren’t, listen to others talk about that blessing, and seek that blessing for your children. A man not only leads his family practically, he leads them spiritually towards Christ. If you do nothing else; do that- show your children Christ in your actions, in your words, and in your life.

My grandfather made his living as a builder. Many of the homes in our community were built by him, and many more were renovated or worked on by him. His handiwork, although without a signature, was established by God (Ps. 90:17). He loved to help people, and always took time to love them; to speak with them, to relate to them, and to show that he valued them. Many times, as a young boy, I would help him on his farm, and whenever someone came by, he would pause whatever he was doing and chat with them. I always found it fascinating that a man who did so much work would make so much time for other people in his life. He took joy in his work, and although he had retired from building by the time I was spending time with him, he and I (along with many of his other grandsons) did many projects around his farm.

Although primarily a builder, my grandfather had the heart of a farmer. For those of you who know farmers, you know they are a special type of person. My grandfather had a great and vivid love for God’s creation around him – from the trees in his orchard, to the sheep he lovingly cared for, he always found joy in God’s creation.

My grandfather was a man of faith, but was never a scholar. I never had deep theological conversations with him, and saw him working more than I saw him reading. Yet his faith was simple and profound; from his life I never once questioned that he was a child of God. Again, looking at the legacy he left – 5 God-fearing children, fifteen grandchildren (one of whom helped to build a global missions organization), and 15 great-grandchildren whose lives are beginning to unfold – there is no doubt that my grandfather knew Christ.

In the past several years, after my grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, my grandfather spent more and more time caring for her, giving of himself for her, until he could no longer physically care for her on his own. Even after help was hired, he continued to concern himself with her comfort and care day and night.

Nine months ago, my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and congestive heart failure. After much consideration, it was decided that he should be moved into the local nursing home. This wasn’t an easy decision for anyone, but my grandfather especially felt the distance between him and his wife, and felt the difference in not being out and about in the midst of God’s creation. As the disease progressed, he became less and less of the man I knew and more and more of a shell of that man – a terribly hard thing to see. Even then, though – he would often want to pray with a retired pastor that ministered often to him.

Last week my grandfather passed away, survived by his wife and children. He now stands at the feet of his Father in heaven, perfected and living in glory. Today we celebrated his life, laid his body in the ground, and remembered the Savior, Jesus Christ, in whom he trusted.

I could go on for pages and pages about my grandfather – memories, thoughts, and questions – but instead, I’ll ask you: who are the pillars of strength who have shown you what it means to me a man for God? Please, take time to get to know them – learn from them, encourage them. Above all, though, spend much time getting to know Christ- the only perfect role model. Spending time with Christ will make you more of a man than Rambo, John Wayne, or Clint Eastwood. It will do more to make you a man than lifting weights, hunting, or any other activity that the world would have you believe “Real Men” focus on. Keep your eyes on the prize, for He will NEVER cease to love you. He will not leave the work He has begun in you unfinished – He will continue to sanctify and shape you into the man He wants you to be.