Growing up as a young man, I picked vital lessons from my dad that still help me today. It was from him that I learnt how to be a strong man. He epitomized strength in care, responsibility, and sound leadership. From him, I learnt what truly makes a man.
Friend, what makes a man is not muscle but strength. You can have muscle and lack strength. Muscle is external, and strength is internal. Muscle is of the body, and strength is of the heart (Isaiah 35:4). God is not looking for brilliance first, but strength (Joshua 1:6).
A brilliant but weak man is a headache to heaven. God cannot do much with him. We are admonished to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1). We are commanded to be strong. It means we have what it takes. We only need to take responsibility for it.
God does not emphasize our weakness. He speaks to our strength (Judges 6:12, Joel 3:10). It takes strength to forge ahead in life. It takes strength to make progress despite oppositions. It takes strength to fulfil destiny and lead a home.
It takes strength to lead a woman (1 Corinthians 9:5). It is not first about age or status, but about your spiritual and mental stature. This strength is not by shouting or announcing your leadership. It is by truly leading. Most women want to be led; lack of leadership makes many go astray (Genesis 3:1-9).
If you are not ready to lead a home, don’t marry. If you are not ready to take responsibility for outcomes, don’t marry. When the first family failed, God called the man, not the woman (Genesis 3:9). Family crises often reveal the absence of correct leadership. Strong men lead lovingly. Weak men boss, beat, or dodge responsibility.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria
