Yup...you heard me. I said it. Needy men are sexy.
Now, if you know me, I'm sure you've ascertained that this means something more than what it appears.
Indeed, those who know Josiah and I know that I revel in his strength. I love that he is strong enough (physically and emotionally) to allow me to lean on him a good bit of the time in a way that I've never been able to lean on another person. There's freedom in the way his strength allows me to be vulnerable.
But...(and you had to know it was coming)
There is one way in which Josiah is weak and needy that is sexy beyond belief: my man knows he needs Jesus.
He is not afraid to start each day at the foot of the cross, reaching out to his Savior saying, "I love you, and I need you. Forgive me, hold me, guide me."
And you know what? That is sexy.
You might wonder why I'm writing this, and of course, there's a reason (other than me wanting to praise my husband).
I have a friend who posted on facebook the other day that he was sitting out in the church parking lot waiting to go in...that it was the hardest part of his week. He said it was hard for him to come to this place where he was in need and didn't have all the answers.
Praise God, he's starting to get it.
My pastor said once, there's a reason there are more women in church than men, and that's often because church brings a man publicly to a place of vulnerability, of neediness. It's a place where a man comes because he doesn't have it all together and to admit he needs a Savior.
What most men don't get is that placing themselves in that vulnerable position actually makes them so much stronger!!!
What could David have done against Goliath without God?! Not one thing. David was only able to defeat Goliath because he knew God was with him.
How far would Moses have gotten in freeing the Israelites without God by his side? Not even a step, and certainly not across the Red Sea on dry ground.
Over and over the Bible shows us that men who admit they are weak and need God are far stronger and able to accomplish more because they know who is in control...and it's not them.
Here's the thing though...as is often the case, the world is screaming something different at our men and boys.
The world is telling them to be tough and independent, not to need anything or anyone. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for teaching boys to be strong, but in the right way, and strength is Jesus Christ is the strongest you can get.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10
So men, you've seen the bumper sticker - "Real Men Love Jesus" - and it's true: real men do, indeed, love and need Jesus. Know it. Accept it. Live it.
And ladies, spread the word. Share, tag, blab, brag - do what you need to do, but get the word out because our Christian men need to know we love their dependence upon God!!
So, to my friend who was in the parking lot, admitting you don't have all the answers and leaning on God for understanding makes you infinitely stronger than you could ever be on your own. You'll get more comfortable with that the more you come to that place of vulnerability, the more you place yourself at the foot of the cross each and every day, not just on Sunday.
And then, my friend, when you come to that place, you'll be racing me to the church doors, and I'll be happy to let you get there first...and I'll even let you open it for me. :)
