This is another guest post from Bridgewood member, Stewart McKenzie. A challenging message for all men. Leave any thoughts in the comment section of this post.
The TV news business exposes you to some of the more unpleasant facts of life. You have to take the good with the bad.
One of those unpleasant realities is domestic violence. Just last week, CBS 11 had a crew at the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney to cover a trial. Outside the courthouse, a husband attacked his wife and knocked her unconscious in the middle of the …road. In front of witnesses. In front of TV news crews. In front of police. Why? He hasn’t said. And he’s sitting in jail.
I don’t get it. I really don’t get it. Why would a man hit a woman?
Domestic violence murders in Dallas doubled from 2011 to 2012. Unfortunately, it looks like that trend is continuing in 2013. There have been 4 domestic violence-related murders in just the first few weeks of the new year. The number of domestic violence cases continues to grow exponentially in Dallas, Fort Worth and other cities across our nation.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings has launched a campaign to raise awareness to this serious social issue. We have asked him to wake up early and join us on the 6 A,M, newscast. He has. Twice in the last month. And it’s not an election year.
With pressing issues related to the economy, jobs and south Dallas development, the mayor of one of the largest cities in Texas is having to focus the attention of his office on a social problem. He has gone to New York City and joined others who spoke at the United Nations about a campaign to stop the violence against women.
I applaud Mayor Rawlings for his efforts. I applaud his office and the city for organizing the March 23rd rally, to gather men together and pledge not to commit acts of domestic violence.
I agree. Men, it’s time to stand up, take charge and be real men. It’s not ok to commit an act of violence, physical or mental abuse, against a woman. I can’t believe that we actually have to write about such things. But, one look at the headlines shows that it’s something we must stand up and address as a society.
Even back in the time when the New Testament was being written, men were urged to stand up, take charge and be reminded that we’re held accountable for our actions.
“Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” according to Ephesians 5:25. Jesus came down from heaven, took on the form of man, went to the cross and died a horrible, brutal death for our sins and to establish the church. Yes, it’s a big deal.
Guys, it’s a big deal. “Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the Church.” (Ephesians 5:28-29)
Men, it’s time to hold ourselves to a higher standard than society expects. Stand up and be the leaders that God expects us to be.