King of my castle

Philippians 2:5-8

Everything I never knew about being a man, the Lord taught me through my wife and son. For example, I have learned, with resistance, that surrendering is the prelude to receiving. It was only when I was truly able to say, "All things are yours" that I was able to see clearly, not only what things were most valuable to me, but also that I already possessed them in abundance. However, the media paints a much different picture of being a man. Through the media, we learn that we are the king of the castle, the man of the house, and the lord of the domain. We also learn that as men we have the prominent position, we have authority, and worst of all we have pride. It should be no surprise that when I first wed, being robed in vibrant immaturity with the crown of ignorance proudly placed upon my head, I sought and battled for this very position. I thought I was important, and I thought proving myself made me a man. Oh, if only someone would have told me that I also wore the shoes of a jester, maybe then I would have been spared some of my most painful lessons. Simply put, I was no king, and I had no idea what being a real man truly meant. Now, "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2nd Timothy 3:16-17)"; and this is no less true when teaching imprudent husbands how to be real men. In my opinion Paul teaches us one of the most important lessons when he wrote, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8)." This is our faultless illustration, our model of manhood; that the King would become the subject. The Prince that was due all honor and glory would give up His honor in order to save those He loved the most. Everything was made through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:19), yet He willingly surrendered it all. Nothing we did, or could ever do, warranted such a sacrifice. Still, He established us as of first importance, defining for foolish men true love by laying down his life (1st John 3:16). This is our definition of manhood, our example of what having the prominent position truly means. We need to surrender everything for the sake of those we love the most, even our pride. Yes, I had a position, and I had authority, but most of all I had a responsibility. Therefore, I humbled myself, putting aside all the flawed philosophies of being a man, and establishing my family as of first importance. For, so long as I am a man for God, a man for my wife, and a man for my son, I will have all the manhood I will ever need. I am king of my castle, but only because I made my wife queen. Now, I defy any man to take me from my throne. I cannot be broken down, for broken is how I received my crown. I cannot have my pride taken, for as a true man I resign my pride freely. I have established my wife as queen and my son as prince over my kingdom. To them I surrender all that was ever mine to give; and in return, the ones I love the most have given me a crown for which I will never need to fight. Now, I am truly the King of my castle.  [mp]

Copyright © 2005
Michael D'Urbano
All rights reserved
www.modernpapyrus.org