a man's greatest "strength"

The sniffling Paul Bratter quotes "I don't need anybody to protect me, sweetheart, because I am a man-- independent, mature, self-sufficient man" as he stands shoeless, sneezing and sobbing in the middle of New York City's Central Park.
A quote from the late 60's film "Barefoot in the Park", I was lucky enough on Valentine's Day to go see this play with my lovely new bride, another wonderful jewel chronicling my cultural growth. Among all the comical anecdotes attached to the exploits of the newlywed time period, the quote about manhood stuck out to me.

If a short list were to be made concerning the most masculine of qualities, what would be on it? I suppose such a subjective concept would give answers ranging from pay grade to facial hair length, from bench press amount to quantity of trades mastered. Depending on your personal experiences with men and your value system, the list could be wide spread. Bratter's comment unveils a universally accepted principle for masculinity, the concept of self reliance.

Self reliance would encompass many generally accepted masculine qualities. One of my favorite dude blogs has an elaborate process of how to develop self reliance. Include in these qualities would be financial independence, highlighted by a man's capability to earn and provide for all of his own needs. Also, I think the ability to take care of any sporadic needs you may encounter is a quality pinned to a male, whether it's automotive or home improvement related. 
As a christian, I'm blessed with a codified, absolute definition of masculinity that's not subject to personal whims. Biblically, men are taught to be strong, imitators of God, created in His image (1 Corinthians 16:13,11:7) and servants who give of themselves to those around them (Matthew 20:25,26). All of these standards support the idea of being capable, self sufficient men.

But there's another thread of scripture to be held in tandem with that. Philippians 4:6 not only recommends but commands that we release anxiety about life's troubles, entrusting them to a higher authority for discernment and proper fulfillment. John 10:10 points to Christ as the ultimate source of abundant life, not our ability as men to "strong arm" it.
One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is found in 2 Kings 3, when a war party of kings is stranded in the desert. Dying of thirst, they finally decides to ask God for help. Elisha, essentially the go-between God and the Jewish people, says, and  check this, not only can I get water for you, but v.18 "This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord, He will also hand Moab (their enemy) over to you as well." The next morning, streams of water appear in the desert, driving their enemies to think a mutiny occurred and a blind charge ensues. The stranded kings basically walk to victory. The point is this: God is strong, sufficient and if things are going to go well, He will be depended on.

There's clearly two thoughts displayed here, strength and dependency. This is something I struggle with and that I see other guys dealing with. We're naturally good, gifted and blessed with certain things, but flaws and weaknesses ensue, I believe by divine design. Life will naturally unveil a need for a dependency on something more than ourselves. It may be a career limitation, a physical ailment or a relational need, but from my extremely limited perspective (25 years), I can see in my own life and look around to find these things. At that point, my strength and courageousness that I'm called to have (1 Corinthians 16:13) isn't enough. I think this unveils what I was supposed to be living in reality of all along, I'm a steward, a faint imitation of a Greater Figure.

Self reliance and strength under the authority of God, the divine authority is such an interesting concept. Masculinity, as well as the feminine nature, is to be celebrated and held in tension with the who God is and what His role in our life is.