Differences

Today Colin Cowherd, one of my favourite radio personalities went on for five minutes about the differences between men and women. He pointed out the physical differences. Those are undeniable. Men are stronger and bigger than women. We can make that general statement. No one disagrees.

Why then do we assume that the things that we can't see are so similar? I'm not talking merely about Men being from Mars and Women from Venus. It is bigger than that. It seems to me that God created us differently, and I am grateful for those differences. I am glad that women seem to view the world differently from me. I value the times when they help me see a different perspective more than I can possibly express cause I can be a bit of a Neanderthal (or Missing Link).

Can we not have equality in the midst of difference...? Why can't we acknowledge what seems to be obvious to most? Why do we write off differences as being inculturated rather than genetic? Where does this drive for sameness arise?

I belong to a group that is probably a late arrival to the men's movement of the 90's. This small group of men who cross the generational spectrum. We are learning what it means to be men: how to not be controlled by our fears, obsessions, anger and resentment; how to have integrous centers that allow us to love and give, not being dependent upon the approval of others for our decision making.

Now I know that some of my female friends would quite rightly say that they need to do those things too, and I would agree. However, the process by which we get there, the triggers that send us scurrying in the opposite direction, the hopes that pull us toward a life submitted to God are very different. That is why men's groups and women's groups are so important. We need fellow travelers who understand us at our deepest levels and crossing gender lines doesn't often get there. Men need men and women need women.

We are equal but very, very different.

Comments

[Stephen Grant]

What can I say. I go in spurts...

I agree that the measure of being goos at sports is not a very good measure of a man.

I am grateful for the differences. this is why I value hearing women preach. They bring a fresh perspective I need to hear. If there was no difference then it matters not whether it is a man or a woman proclaiming God's Word or leading his people in worship. But because there is a difference it is great to have the difference celebrated in the body...

But now I am getting onto women preachers and women leading worship. I want both men and women to do both and I want to experience both but that is probably another post....

[starla]

blog less. :)

I'm not sure the goal is sameness...but when an associate last night at dinner comments "Well, he isn't much of a man if he isn't good at sports."...it makes me sad to think of his narrow view of manhood.