Genesis 1:28
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
The power to dominate is not intrinsic. Man does not have it within himself. That power comes from God. God gives him power over the earth and the living things that move upon it, which are more under his care and within his reach.
When man fell into sin in the garden, much of the original power he possessed obviously diminished, yet his charge to have dominion continues. It continues so strongly today that it is necessary to provide safety, support, nurture, and survival.
Whenever man is not dominating, other creatures devour him. In a contest between man and a lion, if man fails to dominate, the lion survives and man becomes breakfast. Men were created by God for the dominance of the created world.
Today, men of God commit themselves to doing what they were created to do: serve, protect, and nurture the part of the world that God puts within their grasp.
Black Perspectives:
I am an African-American man. I know that I am not perfect. I will make mistakes. But I will always strive to live up to my God-given calling. I will be a man of strength and courage, a man of compassion and love.
I will use my power to protect the innocent, to provide for the needy, and to make the world a better place.
I have faced challenges and discrimination throughout my life. But I will not let that define me. I will rise above it and use my experiences to make a difference in the world.
I am a man of God. I am called to serve, protect, and nurture the part of the world that God puts within my grasp.