Of Boys and Men

Dear Boys,

You want to be men? You want to be someone that others aspire to be? You want to be true, manly men? No softies or cry-babies. No talking about your feelings. No showing any emotions. True manly men. Guns and Cars and Hunting and Hikes and all that jazz... Wait, no jazz, rock 'n'roll, heavy metal.  

This is today's idea of a true man. A man is someone who has the most girls he can. His whole worth is based off of such temporal pleasures that, you know, a "real" man doesn't need Jesus. A "real" man doesn't "waste" his time on others. He makes sure he is working to get the best of the best. A "real" man drives a sports car, wears his Nike's everywhere, and is a "ballah". Yup. Doesn't that sound awesome? (No. Not really.)

I want to let you know... This isn't what makes a boy a man. I want to tell you about the most manly man to ever walk the face of this earth. He didn't do what we consider manly nowadays. He never did what you do. He didn't work out his muscles to make them huge. He didn't focus all his time on getting the latest and greatest video game console or beating that level on Halo 5 or whatever is out now. 

This man spent all his time serving others. He played with the children, wept with others, and cared for the sick. His life was spent looking outside himself. He didn't care what the world thought of him. Actually, many people hated him. He wasn't afraid to stand up for what he knew to be true. He knew His identity. This man performed the greatest act of pure charity that has ever been performed.

Boys act like what I was first talking about. Boys are self-centered, unfocused on an eternal perspective, and go through life only caring about worldly things. Men look for the eternal. They do what they can to make the lives of others better. They rely on their God. 

Just like the most manly man to ever walk the faith of this earth. That is our savior, Jesus Christ. He is the person that true men strive to be like. By following his example, you can become someone that others will aspire to become like. Through your example they will see your Savior. They will see Christ in your countenance. What a beautiful thing to picture. Christ in your countenance is what you should strive for.

You want to be men? 

Learn of, live like, love like, and be like Christ.

That is what makes you real, true, and manly men.

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Mackenzie Esmond