I believe there is a huge difference between the simple status of a male or a female and the status of a man or a woman. The first identity, we had no choice; we were born that way – it was given to us. The second is a CHOICE!
I joined the Military at 17 years old—Did this make me a man?
I graduated from High School at 18 years old—How about now? Did this make me a man?
I was stationed in Germany at 19 years old—Surely this made me a man, right?
I was married at 20 years old—Come on, marriage makes you a man, doesn’t it?
I was very strong and could fight—Very manly. Didn’t this make me a man?
I was living on my own and supporting myself since I was 18 years old—Was I a man now?
I owned my first business at 25 years old—How about now?
I had my first child at 30 years old—If this didn’t make me a man, what could?
Did any of these events make me a man?
If you had asked me at any one of these key points in my life, I would have told you I was a man. I WAS NOT!
I started to become a man at the age of 30 because that was when I stopped making excuses and started accepting responsibility. I stopped letting life happen to me, and started taking control. Life doesn’t have to “happen” to you; you can make it happen! This is what separates males from Men and females from Women!
We falsely believe being a Man or a Woman is based on what has transpired in our lives, our age, a title, the amount of money or number of children we have. Accepting responsibility for your life is the beginning of becoming a Man or a Woman. We accept responsibility for every aspect of our attitude, position, career, family, home, church and city. This realization that we are the drive that makes all of life happen is the beginning of becoming a Man or a Woman.
What areas of your life are you making excuses for? Examine your perspective, and make a list of what you tend to complain about. Now turn your perspective around and instead of wording it in the form of a complaint, make a list of what you can actually do about it. How can you take charge in those areas? Accept responsibility for that area, no matter who or what is to “blame,” and it will free you to take action and regain control of your life!
Our cities, businesses, churches and families are in desperate need of a Few Good Men and Women. They already have plenty of males and females. Make a choice today to rise to the leadership level. Accept full responsibility for every endeavor and begin a new adventure for your life in the role of a leader.
Find your Passion and you will find your Life!