What does it mean to be a Man?

    Having grown up and been primarily raised by women, I have always asked, "What does it mean to be a man?" Over a dozen people closest to me during my childhood have been women, so I adopted many of their behaviors and mannerisms. I was the only boy in a family of two sisters, and any possible male influence was either detached or short-lived. My life was without proper guidance, and I was definitely going through the motions until I finally identified what was absent in my life: a man.

    But what is a man? What do men do? Am I even going to be a man? In today's culture, it's insensitive to even ask. Ironically, if you don't subscribe to a subjective answer to that question, you are labeled as sexist. This question I asked myself led me down a rabbit hole. I finally found an answer that I don't think is often shared. On the last day of 2023, it dawned on me that the answer is simply to come first. The ancient Greeks have a specific word for it: Prototokos. Prototokos is roughly translated to mean first-born. It doesn't have to mean born first literally but first in order. Men are first in order, and after studying theology for some years, I can finally apply that to my life personally.

    To be first does not mean to be more important, nor does it mean better, more valuable, or even greater. It simply means first in order. The problem is that the word "order" needs to be expounded upon. We can all agree that there is an observable order to reality, a way in which things must go. Presumably, with God being the ultimate agent of order, we can choose one of many creation accounts in any major religion and see that man was created first before women. I believe this goes beyond the act of creation and spills over into almost every aspect of life regarding gender.

    When faced with the question, What should I do as a man? the answer is always to act first. Consciously choose to act, be aware of the action I've taken, and stand by it. I must be first in all things. That includes being the first to listen, and the first to find or make peace wherever it may exist. Yes, I am in charge; I will be held accountable. It falls on my shoulders as a man to act first, just as Andreas the Apostle did when he brought important matters to his brothers' attention during their walks, and ultimately as Jesus did when He loved us. All this is so that others may benefit from our acts.

    Without dishonoring my own father, I speak plainly when I say that as a child, I did suffer because my father played a passive role during my formative years. I thank God that I began seeking answers to my lingering questions early on, because I truly believe it prevented major disorder from developing.