Some men look the part of a father—but they are not—while other men don’t look the part of a father and are. Perhaps it would simplify things a bit if God would give us a clue as to what His thoughts are on the subject.
We could offer our thoughts on this subject, but it would probably come more from natural reasoning rather than from spiritual discernment.
Since we do respect the elderly, we tend to make spiritual fathers out of them even if they are not. The idea of respecting elderly men is an honorable thing to do and should be our practice, but that doesn’t necessarily make them spiritual fathers.
Even though God is our real spiritual Father, He has anointed certain men to carry the spiritual father mantle in a practical way.
I met a man many years ago that was different from all the other men I had known. He was an exceptionally strong man whose claim to fame was that of tearing a full size phone book in half with his bare hands. He was occasionally invited to do this amazing feat in the school gymnasium in front of a crowd of screaming young people cheering him on.
You would think such a man would be loud and boisterous, but he was quite the contrary. He was a quiet, gentle, dignified man who walked close to the Lord. He always loved me as his own son and we remained friends until he went to be with the Lord.
His ways were worth emulating because of his gentle spirit which came from a platform of strength. I think maybe God had stamped him with the spiritual father stamp just for me at that time of my life. It wasn’t his ability to rip a phone book in half that impressed me, it was his character.
The highest desire of man should be that of being a prism…reflecting the Heavenly Father, so others may be drawn to God through him. When people are drawn to the Heavenly Father through us…perhaps that is an indication that we too have been stamped with the spiritual father stamp.
Father,
My highest goal and deepest desire in life is to reflect you. I want to say as Jesus said in John 14:9, “He that has seen me hath seen the Father.” He also said in John 5:19, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the son also does.”
Father, I realize that spiritual growth is a slow journey. My desire is to always be a learner as I grow spirituality, but I especially want to be a reflection of You.
Amen
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. John 5:19 KJV
Apostle John Dean Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved
Alliance International Ministries