Today is set aside to honor Fathers – and I want to be one of the frist to do this. I so appreciate men who recognize their God’given responsibility to not only provide sperm to produce life, but bring that life to the full measure of the stature that God intended. Unfortunately we are living in a day when there are far too many men who are living so far beneath their privilege – and their lives reflect that – for just as it is true for all people, when we fail to do what God designs us to do, we don’t receive the full benefit of the blessings He intended.
What is even more tragic for me, as a believer, is to dwell in the church world and see that there are far too many men of God who are failing to provide the spirit of a Father to the struggling novices that are seeking answers on how TO DO THE RIGHT THING! Apparentlly, this is not a new phenomena, for we see the Apostle Paul addressing this situation in 1 Corinthians:
14-16I’m not writing all this as a neighborhood scold just to make you feel rotten. I’m writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can’t wait to tell you what you’ve done wrong, but there aren’t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God’s Message to you that I became your father. I’m not, you know, asking you to do anything I’m not already doing myself. 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 (MSG)
It is not enough to PREACH THE WORD – there is another element – we must labor with those who allow the “seed (of the Word) to fall on good ground” – just as we labor with our natural children to ensure that all the gifts and talents and love that dwells in them comes to maturity.
I’m not going to preach today – I’m going to pray – and send forth a clarion call to the men of God – please be a Father – not just a good Preacher, or Teacher, or Elder, or Deacon – even now, especially now – we can still bring our sons to their place and win this world for Jesus!
Selah,
Maria