Appreciate the fathers in your life

As the world marks Father's Day on June 18, 2023; let me share with you a few nuggets. Among the many gifts that one can receive, the gift of a father is an exceptional one. It is a manifestation of God's love. Fathers make a special kind of input into your life compared to all other people you interact with over time.

A father's input is comprehensive; he cares about you, gives you good teachings and his heart is concerned about your welfare and of those you love. Fathers are few and the cry of most young people and the church today is for fathers. It takes the grace of a father to patiently guide a person through the maze of life, darkness and blunders that they may make.

The key characteristic of a father is not his age but the heart to nurture and produce after his own kind. Contrary to popular belief, many young people have a father's heart. God sends us a number of people to father and nurture us but we often do not recognise or receive them and sometimes we fight them. We must learn to receive the fathers God sends into our lives. Receiving a father involves an all-embracing ministry. In the natural the biological father gives you wisdom, advice and lessons about life.

In Hebrew, the word father means lord and there are many scriptural teachings of who a (perfect) father is. He encourages his children with his words; the father's word was law, 'honour your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord is giving you'. He is a spiritual leader and the high priest of the home; he guides his children to grow and chose the right path in life. He is the protector, defender and socially responsible for his family; he protects his family from social evils, danger and hazards.

A father mentors his sons on cultural, traditions and economic issues: in the Hebrew tradition, a father ensured that his son was circumcised (an important rite of passage from childhood to adulthood); got him a wife; and taught him a trade to earn income and fed for his family. He provides for his family.

"But if anyone does not provide for his own and especially those of his household; he has denied his faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1st Timothy 5:8). Jacob blesses his children in Genesis; by calling all his sons and proclaiming blessings upon them according to their deeds and character.

The various fathers in your life will bring unique and important inputs into your life but they can also impact you negatively (to sin). First is your heavenly father (God) who loves and cares for you unconditionally. Second, is your father in Christ, who introduces or births you into the Lord (salvation). You must always cherish and honour them because they invest in your eternal life.

Third is your father in the ministry who directs you into the work of the Lord in ministry. Fourth is your biological father who gave the seed for you to be conceived. Fifth is your spiritual father who often replaces your biological father in case they are not unavailable due to death, divorce or even abandonment. Sixth is the father of the church who is the founder of a church.

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Seven is the father of a movement; for example, Abraham is the father of the faith movement. Eighth is your father-in-law who is a kind of biological father or doubles as one. They can also bless you. Moses was greatly blessed by his father-in-law.

Nine is your father in sin who introduces you to many evils and bad behaviour. Some of us would never have known the depths of sin if it had not been for those who virtually took our hands and led us into it.

When you honour and obey your father you receive the provision/permission to prosper. Fathers have the power to bless and curse. They occupy a seat of authority given by God. There are three groups of people on Earth that have been given divine authority. In the family it is the father, the nation is the government (heads of state) and the church is the pastor.

Your relationship with any of these authorities is vital for your existence on Earth. Jesus understood this principle well and when the powers of darkness were closing in on his soul he knew whom he could entrust it to. He proclaimed, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46).

My prayer is that in your father's arms, you will be safe and secure. Amen!