Blood and Guts: Human Sacrifice

We decided to run with a creepy halloween thing as we talk about personal development for men this month. Blood and Guts may sound creepy – but let’s turn it around and talk about the offal and innards from a completely different perspective.

In the movie Apocalypto, directed by Mel Gibson, a young Mayan man is set to be slaughtered. The Mayans believed that a bloody human sacrifice was required of their gods to bring favor on their land. After all – while the brutality was in practice, their kingdom thrived! In their brutal and twisted minds – it made sense!

Of course we know that killing innocents as an act of sacrifice to the gods is not a good thing.

But our culture is built on sacrifice – and I contend that it’s a cornerstone of manlihood for a man to be willing to lay down his life.

When a man swears an oath to his country, as a soldier, a police officer, a firefighter, etc –  he pledges to serve the greater good at a great personal cost. In order for him to serve, his life may be required of him. They all know this – and yet they agree to serve.

We may not all be heroes, signing or name in blood with an oath to serve and protect – but we should all strive to live our lives in a way that reflect some of that courage.

Sometimes a commitment to sacrifice doesn’t mean death – sometimes it means going without to provide for our children. Sometimes it means doing the right thing, when it costs us dearly to do so. Sometimes it means standing up to defend against wrongdoing around us.

Are you willing to give your life, or part of your life to the service of others? Are you willing to put yourself second, to put your needs behind the needs of others? Are you willing to charge in to danger to help another in need?