Because the Bible uses figurative language, frequently enlisting metaphorical uses of gardening terms, there can sometimes be a disconnect for men when it comes to reading and understanding the Bible. I am certainly not suggesting that men aren’t smart enough to read the Bible--because that is simply not true--but I do think most men have at least a slight aversion to language that is metaphorical in nature.
For example: In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” He explains this metaphor in the following way: “Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me” (15:4).
That is a beautiful picture. Sadly, though, because of cultural and contextual failures, it can fall on deaf ears.
So today I present “The Manly Man’s Jesus Metaphor, Stud Finder Edition (Power Tools Optional).”
No matter what type of home you own, at some point you will need to hang something on the walls. And if that item has any weight to it, you can’t just throw it up on the drywall and expect it to stay put. Maybe you have learned this the hard way. But drywall cannot bear the weight of heavy items. When attempting to hang something heavy, you have two options: anchors or studs.
And most of the time an anchor works just fine. But we’ve all seen anchors that have fallen back out of the drywall or needed to be re-installed.
But a stud!
A stud is foolproof. If you want something hung on the wall until you move or die, you find a stud. For those unsure of what a “stud” is, it’s a vertically positioned post in the framework of a wall that supports sheets of drywall. A stud won’t bend or break, pivot or wedge. A stud is rock solid.
The stud, you see, is Jesus.
That leaves us as the item being hung on the wall. The beauty of this metaphor is that you can be anything you want: an amazing library of leather bound books; an expensive electric guitar; a rustic window your wife found on the side of the road and now you get to clean and repaint; an authentic Thor hammer; or an autographed bowling ball signed by the Lebowski himself.
Whatever you choose, be encouraged: If you want your life to have eternal meaning, affix your soul to the One who never wavers, to the One who gives life, to the One who provides rest for the weary and strength to the brokenhearted, to the One who gave His life for us.
Don’t be deceived--everyone is being discipled; it’s just a matter of what or whom is discipling you. Men, don’t settle for the treasures of this world. Don’t anchor yourself to cheap things.
Anchor yourself to Jesus.