The kind of man you want to be isn’t built in a single moment or decided by a single event. Our character is formed under pressure. It’s being formed or reformed every day—in the way we respond to situations. In the way we handle challenges at work, conflicts with other individuals, with how we handle stress and anxiety, or when our kids decide to widen the boundaries. Do we sideline our quiet time the second our phone starts buzzing?
Some of us may want to arrive at the destination while bypassing the journey. We want maturity without the work, strength without the struggle, and wisdom without the failures. Becoming a man of God takes time, patience, and surrender—it’s a slow, deliberate process. It happens in our daily pursuit of Christ when no one’s applauding, there’s no spotlight, and you feel like God is not at work in you.
Do you believe God uses your failures as well as your victories, your good as well as the bad decisions, the stumbles as well as the successful climbs to shape you into the very person He has in mind? Every misstep can either harden your heart or deepen your humility. Every setback can either fuel shame or invite surrender. God is not expecting you to arrive today. He’s asking you to keep pursuing Him.
Becoming is not a destination; it’s a direction. It’s not about being flawless, it’s about being faithful. You’re not stuck in who you’ve been, you’re becoming who you were always meant to be.
Scripture
“But you, man of God… pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
— 1 Timothy 6:11 (ESV)
Notice the words Paul chose to describe a man of God to Timothy—pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. There traits take time and effort to develop. These are grown through pursuit, not passive attendance at church events. You don’t drift into godliness; you chase it.
The world would substitute success for righteousness, self-made image for godliness, self-confidence for faith, personal gain for love, quick-wins for endurance, and aggression for gentleness. All of Paul’s verbs characterize one thing—pursuit.
Application
Think about the kind of man you’re becoming. You are becoming something. The choices you make, the people you hang with, the habits you practice, how you spend your time, money, talents—they all play into the man you will become.
Some men are stuck in their past—defined by their failures, regrets, or wasted years. Others live paralyzed by comparison, constantly measuring themselves against another man’s success or highlight reel. Neither comparison nor regret can shape you into the man God wants you to be. Pursuit can.
Pursuit looks like opening your Bible instead of opening the screen on your cell phone. It seems like prayer when you don’t have the words to say. It seems like confessing sin rather than covering it up. It looks like choosing mercy with your kids when anger is easier. Small decisions might not seem important at the time—but they form the foundation of a godly man.
The man you become doesn’t just affect you. It impacts your family, your church, your neighbors, the people you work with, and everyone you come into contact with daily. A faithful pursuit creates a ripple effect. Your endurance encourages other men in their pursuit. Your humility shines Christ’s light into the lives you come in contact with. Your grace breaks the cycle of harshness. You are becoming, not just for yourself, but for the men that walk behind you.
Today’s Challenge: what path will you pursue?
Take a few minutes today and write out a one-sentence vision of the man you want to become. Don’t focus on achievements or career goals. Focus on character, faith, and the kind of impact you want to leave. Then share that sentence with someone you trust—a brother in Christ, a mentor, or your spouse. Let them hold you accountable to the man you’re becoming.
Then pray this:
“Father, I don’t want to drift through life. Shape me into the man You’ve called me to be. Give me courage to keep pursuing You with consistency and grace. Use every small step, every failure, and every victory to make me more like Jesus.”
Final Thought
You don’t need a flawless past to become the man God has called you to be. You just need a faithful next step. The process may be slow, but it is steady. And every day of pursuit matters.
This week’s step: Write your one-sentence vision of the man you’re becoming and put it somewhere visible—on your bathroom mirror, your desk, or your phone’s lock screen. Read it every day this week and let it remind you that you’re not stuck. You’re becoming.
Snag this print-friendly version for your next men’s breakfast or Bible study.
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