Manliness = Vulnerability?

Word association: manliness. GO!

Manliness

• Strong
• Tough
• Facial Hair
• Mighty (Full of Might)
• Macho
• Godly
• Leader
• Do-it-yourself
• Hands-on

So, I actually just played this game with the girls that are in the same room doing productive things as I am. (Update, they are now actually listening to "Men in Tights" from Men in Tights and singing along. Possibly, my fault.) Anyways, not the point. The point is that these are things that some actual people think of when I asked them what words came to mind when I said "manliness". Some other things that are "stereotypical" ideas of manliness:

• Thick-Skinned
• Not-Vulnerable
• Don't Surrender
• Don't Show Emotion

So, why am I pointing these things out? For the reason that I cannot figure out why in the world that something so contrary to my "supposed" culture is so appealing/awarding: surrender. I've noticed in the past few months that being vulnerable is actually one of the most freeing, desirable, and amazing experiences that I can have. Yet, it is so contrary to the culture that I have been "taught" to live by.

Side Note: There are a LOT of quotation marks in this thing!

I've been in the point of my life where I have completely surrendered myself and gave up my every right to control, and it was the most freeing feeling that I have ever had. A great example of this is when I was a little kid. When I was young, my parents were basically in charge of everything. They organized my schedule, drove me around, decided what I was going to eat, fed me, etc. I had 0 stress even though I had 0 control... because I put my complete trust in my parents. My parents were the Lords of my life. 

In my current life, I get to have a similar experience on those days that I completely surrender my day to Christ. When I let Him order my day, things are so much less stressful. When I surrender my talents to Him, I perform so much better. When I honor Him with my time, I'm so much more productive with the rest of my time. But every one of these requires a complete surrender and openness of myself. I have to become completely vulnerable before Christ and sacrifice all of my control to Him. For a control freak, it's so stinking scary and difficult to do this, but it is such an incredibly wonderful and freeing feeling to be able to do so.

Did I mention that it's super freeing? I think I did. 

So, yeah. One of the cool parts about allowing myself to become vulnerable is the freeing feeling that comes with it. Because when I surrender to someone I trust, I don't have to be in charge of anything. And when I'm not doing so hot at adulting lately, not having to adult is great!

Stay in tune for some more revelations of vulnerability!

Best of luck in the real world and God Bless,

-XTopher