As we get ready to celebrate Father’s Day this weekend it seems a perfect time to reflect on the undeniable necessity and value of having a good father in the home.
In the west specifically we know that fatherlessness is an epidemic affecting the next generation in numerous and dire ways. Worldwide we know the voice, presence, guidance, discipline, and instruction of a father is necessary to any child and family’s growth, health, and well being.
Biblically, how could we expect anything else? God Himself relates to us as our Father, calling us His beloved children and showing us the ultimate model of a Father’s love. He gives Himself up for us, guides us, teaches us, trains us, comforts us, challenges us, and helps us to become all that we are intended to be. Good, Godly fathers everywhere follow that same path.
While there are only a handful of instructions given directly to fathers in the Bible (Ephesians 6:4; Psalm 103:13; Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 23:24; Hebrews 12:7) the heart of God the Father comes through on every page, providing the standard to which fathers everywhere attempt to rise up and meet. While of course every earthly dad will miss the mark, their continual repentance and commitment to serve the role God has given them in their families makes an unquantifiable impact.
We have only to look up statistics on fatherlessness to know the importance of a present father. Everything from future poverty and criminal activity to mental health and self esteem are greatly impacted by simply having a father in the home.
Perhaps even more importantly we get our first glimpse of God from our fathers. Whether we consider Him to be angry, distant, and disappointed or we know Him to be near, involved, compassionate, and loving is a direct reflection of what our earthly fathers taught us. Those lucky enough to grow up in a home with a dad who loves God deeply and loves his family well reap untold benefits both practically and spiritually their entire lives long.
For the Godly men out there all over the world fighting the good fight in your own homes: showing up, working hard, teaching, discipling, instructing, loving, serving, and leading your families; today we see you, we honor you, and we thank you for the valuable work you are doing. As you impact the next generation, you transform the world. As you lead and instruct in the ways of the Kingdom, you are ushering His presence ever nearer and raising up the future leaders, pastors, and missionaries who will pick up where we left off.
So to the dads in every corner of the earth making their homes a place of discipleship, we charge you to keep up the good, necessary, gritty, life changing, Godly work of fatherhood. As Galatians urges, do not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a great harvest, if you do not give up. Carry on dads, and a very Happy Father’s Day from GCM.
