by Leslie Ludy
When asked the question, “What would you say are young women most disillusioned with?”To me, the answer to that question is obvious: today’s young women are primarily disillusioned with guys. Girls grow up reading fairy tales and dreaming of Prince Charming, but by the time we get to sixth grade, we are presented with a standard of masculinity so shockingly below our ideal that we can’t help but become disillusioned and even dismayed. We’ve shrugged our shoulders and accepted the dismal fact that fairy tales are nothing more than childish, unrealistic dreams, so we sit around in discussion groups trying to cope with our disappointing reality.
But what if we can do something about it? What if fairy tales really are possible? What if we aren’t supposed to settle for such a dim outlook on love and romance?
As women, we have a far greater power over the course of masculinity than most of us realize. We can use our femininity to influence men toward strength or toward weakness. Unfortunately, most of us don’t use our feminine power correctly. We nag, criticize, complain, manipulate, and seduce, hoping that our self-built techniques will somehow work some magic and turn a frog into a prince. But when selfishness is our motivation for changing guys, we only end up fueling the problem and leading men into even greater weakness. So, what is God’s design for empowering femininity?
“…the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him lord.” (1 Peter 3:4-6)
If you want guys to start acting more heroic, don’t label them, scorn them, or bash them. Believe that they can become something more. It is not having faith in a man, but in what our mighty, amazing, triumphant God can do in and through a man. Let your words bring life and encouragement, not sarcasm and disdain. As women, we are created to build men up, not tear them down.
It is not our job to change men. Only God can do that. Our job is to participate with God in bringing His desired change about - not through angry words or self-effort, but through diligent prayer and a Christ-like example.
