One of the hot topics today in Christian circles is the subject of spiritual fathering. It’s as though if one can be labeled as a father, he’s attained at least some measure of respect and worth in the kingdom of God. Unfortunately, it seems that many of the modern day fathers aren’t fathers at all, but self-made men who have discovered a new way to control the hearts, lives and money of trusting Christians.
It is yet to be discovered whether true fathering is what it’s cracked up to be. We must first come up with some true fathers so we can test the principle. (Perhaps that statement was a little unkind and uncalled for and only a reflection of my own little protest against the injustice I see in the body of Christ with self proclaimed fathers.) I do believe there are many true fathers today who are nurturing their spiritual children without claiming their spiritual children’s inheritance as their own.
True fathers are packaged in many ways. Some are so scholarly and deep that you discover the need to be small while you sit at their feet and learn.
Others, like Jesus, use natural things such as birds, storms, fish and parables to draw a parallel to the truth that will help you through the problem at hand.
There is still another kind of father that is often overlooked. This one says very little because he’s not sure he knows much ¾ is, yet with each word, he speaks volumes. The ways of this man should be studied carefully, because he just may be one of those Moses fellows who talks to God mouth to mouth (Num 12:8 NAS) but is not all that good at talking to man.
Which of the above three is the real father? God has deposited all three of these men in our spiritual bank account for us to discover that we can draw from their unlimited treasure at will. The fact is, there may be times when we may need the scholarly, other times when we need the practical, and yet at other times we will need the quiet one.
Is true fathering what it’s cracked up to be? The answer is a resounding “yes” by those who sit at the feet of the scholarly fathers, the storyteller fathers and the quiet Moses type fathers.
Father,
I thank you for all the father type men you have put in my life…men of great character. Men who not only see my God given potential, but men who have the patience to work with me while you are perfecting my life. Father, help me to be a better student of the men I respect and admire. Help me to also see the same God given potential in other people’s lives and give me a willingness to help them along the way as others have helped me.
Amen!
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20 KJV)
Apostle John Dean Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved
Alliance International Ministries