Measure of a Man

Two songs. One subject. Two different viewpoints. One measure of a man.



Measure of a Man
by 4HIM

FIRST VERSE
This world can analyze and size you up
And throw you on the scales
They can IQ you and run you through
Their rigorous details
They can do their best to rate you
And they'll place you on their charts
And then back it up with scientific smarts
Bur there's more to what your worth
Than what their human eyes can see
CHORUS
Oh I say the measure of a man
Is not how tall you stand
How wealthy or intelligent you are
Cause I found out the measure of a man
God knows and understands
For He looks inside to the bottom of your heart
And what's in the heart defines
The measure of a man
SECOND VERSE
Well you can doubt your worth
And search for who you are and where you stand
But God made you in His image
When He formed you in his hands
And He looks at you with mercy
And He sees you through His love
You're His child and that will always be enough
For there's more to what you're worth
Than you could ever comprehend
BRIDGE
You can spend your life pursuing physical perfection
There is so much more, more than ever meets the eye
For God looks through the surface
And He defines your worth by, what is on the inside


Measure of a Man
by Jack Ingram

FIRST VERSE
When I was fifteen, I left home young
Tore up the tracks and then some
Me and my dad didn't see eye to eye
I never took to him, he never took the time
Bullet proof, more than tough
Smarter than he ever was
CHORUS
Well I burned those wheels down the highway
And I learned what I learned the hard way
Do the best you can do, love many, trust few
Work hard for the money in your hands
That's the measure of a manYeah the measure of a man
SECOND VERSE
Anger burns, love cools it down
Pretty young woman turned my head around
The world through her eyes looked so different
She lives on faith, she looks for forgiveness
Fool proof, it ain't easyI need her, she needs me
CHORUS
She stole my heart on this highway
She taught me to love through the hard days
Yeah she's cool when I'm not, she's as steady as a rock
She's as solid as the ring on my hand
That's the measure of a man
Yeah the measure of a man
Last night she handed me a son of my own
It killed me to do it, but I picked up the phone
CHORUS
Hey dad I burned ten years down this highway
And I learned what I learned the hard way
Truth is I need you, we'll cry if we need to
And I'll swallow my pride if you can
That's the measure of a man
Oh yeah, the measure of a man

Jack Ingram and 4HIM have slightly differing viewpoints on the Measure of a Man. But both of these songs are great tools to see two different sides of the makeup of a man of old.

A man of old is like a coin with two sides: one side is strength in God. The other is strength in self. Keep it balanced. Focus on both. See how you measure up.

Why is this even important???

So why is this even important? Why is trying to be a better man even on our radar screen? Why should you be reading this? Why should I even be writing this? Basically, why is this topic even remotely important?

It's important because it's not where it should be. Since it's not where it should be, it becomes a problem. Because it is a problem, people are getting hurt. Families are struggling. The next generation of men have no examples. The good things are being lost. This problem affects every piece of community and society. Truly, this problem shapes the world.

Is that important enough?

No, really, I don't mean to sound coy. I just want to try to express how important this issue really is. When men are not real men, it impacts everything. It has a trickle down effect. It has a lasting effect. It has a large effect. Too often people pass this off as a simple change in society or a blah blah blah (technical terms). There are a thousand different excuses for why men are not as strong or disciplined as they used to me. And there are a thousand reasons why this isn't a big deal. So it might seem like I am exaggerating a little bit with my reasoning, but I don't think I am. This is a real problem. This is a big problem.

And, men, we have to fix this.

We have to fix this.

It is important.

Need for Men of Old.

What did a man used to look like? What was a ‘man of old’? I tell you plainly now – we who call ourselves men today would not have been able to shake the hand of the men of old. They were strong and good men who took pride in themselves and their character while fighting for the right and not accepting the wrong. They were men who knew themselves and their God – and therefore knew what was expected of them. Oh, what joy it would be to simply be in the company of some of these men of old! What has happened to us, men? If a man of old would see our minor attempts at strength and honor today, their eyes would falter with disbelief and disappointment. What would the men of old say about us today, men? Yet through the grace of the Good Lord, this life allows for changes and renewals. So what can we do to gain the respect of these men of old in our lives, men? We can look at the life of a man of old – and then we can change and we can renew.
When people picture men of old, they see an image of a man strong and good. With sweat on his brow and callouses on his hands, he was man who knew how to work. He had clear eyes, a good heart, and he always spoke the truth. There are many other descriptions and characteristics of a man of old – too numerous to account here. But the men of old were all like this. There was respect in being a good man, and they all strived to show themselves worthy of being called a man.
Today our men are soft. We are small. We are lazy. We eagerly lavish pleasures on ourselves as quickly as we deny them to others. We lie to cover our tracks. We deceive to make our lives easier (as if they aren’t easy enough right now…). We sneak around as if we are walking on eggshells and not wanting to be noticed. Oh, how inconvenient it would be if someone noticed that a man was around! They might ask him to do some kind of work or show some kind of courage to help someone!
Yet there is hope. There is always hope in life because life is open for change and God is a life-changing God. We who claim to call ourselves men today can truly get back to what a man really is – a man of old. The men that helped those who were weaker than they. The men of old who could look each other in the eye and shake a strong hand. The men who knew the value of life and love. The men who did good things simply because they were good things and they needed to be done. The men who lived with strength and truth and therefore garnered respect and honor. The men who knew they had to find themselves completely in the Lord – for He is the wellspring of all that is right.
We can make the changes in our lives to be like these men of old. We can regain our strength, renew our vows, and stand tall once again! We can; we need to; and we will.