Male Ego Mayday

The mystery of manhood has been a source of intellectual stimulation for the greatest minds in human history, as well as some of the minds that are perhaps not so great. Here are some examples:

“Most books on witchcraft will tell you that witches work naked. This is because most books on witchcraft were written by men.” ― Neil Gaiman

“Men should think twice before making widowhood women’s only path to power.” ― Gloria Steinem

“All men hear is blah, blah, blah, blah, SEX, blah, blah, blah, FOOD, blah, blah, blah, BEER.” ― Denis Leary

I have observed that just like the Trinity (but not really), the male species is made up of three complete yet separate persons within one being: the man in the mirror, his ego, and his privates. Each of these entities has a mind of its own, yet is so interconnected with the others as to be virtually indistinguishable (and at any given moment, we don’t know which part is in charge). Of the quotes above, Denis Leary was the closest to understanding the three strands of the complete man. Food feeds the man himself, sex takes care of the needs of the family jewels, and beer obviously nourishes the ego.

In times past, those who have not understood manhood have tried to dissect the man in order to gain insight into each distinct part, but this experimentation has only resulted in tragic consequences. For instance, the French thought they could end some pride and tyranny problems with the guillotine, but in the end those who survived were still French (sorry. Couldn’t resist). And when the ancients thought that they could cure infidelity by creating eunuchs to guard their harems? Well, the only difference between an enemy with balls and an enemy sans balls, is that the one without is probably patient.

In more recent times it is the male ego that has suffered dismemberment.

I don’t think we understand the damage we cause by classifying the storehouse of a guy’s dignity as evil. Yes, that’s right. Dignity. If a man is healthy and alive (in the Truest sense of the word), his ego is more about dignity than pride.

But this fortress of manhood is under attack, and man knows it.

It is in danger every time he backs up a trailer. He shifts into reverse and his eyes fill with fear, not in anticipation of failure, but because he may be mocked or condescendingly nitpicked by his peers.

It is assaulted whenever he grills a steak on the barbeque (the only wedding present meant for HIM). It doesn’t matter whether the meat is undercooked or overdone; what will crush him is if a significant woman assumes he won’t cook it the way she wants, and tells him what to do and how to do it and when to do it.

What does all this have to do with Jesus? I’m glad you asked.

You may be a guy who really understands what I’m saying here, because you are a shell of who you once were, or could be. If you give Jesus the smoldering wick of your manhood, he’ll fan it into a raging fire. Trust me, God makes men mighty.

Perhaps you are a woman who is trying to train a man. I hope you follow my wife’s strategy and talk more about him buying a motorbike than putting the toilet seat down. And for heaven’s sake, when he is in front of the grill forego the advice and offer him a beer instead. It’ll do wonders for his DIGNITY. Like Mae West said, “It’s not the men in your life that matters, it’s the life in your men.”