It seems now that being a person with a cool spirit is no longer “cool.” What society seems to expect is outrage, rash judgments, and rants against those who disagree with us, whether it has to do with political, religious, or social issues. Remaining calm, prudently taking your time to make judgments (Proverbs 18:17), and staying aloof from conflict (Proverbs 20:3) are viewed as weakness, cowardice, or fear. Yet, the Bible teaches that these are virtues.
What we see, then, is that humility is spiritual warfare. When we are humble, we are strengthened in the grace of God, we are freed from the cares of this world, and we are able to assess the threats we face. When we are humble, we are able to stand firm in our faith, as we patiently endure suffering, knowing that our lives are hidden in Christ. When we are humble, we don’t have anything to prove on this earth, we don’t have a reputation to defend, and we don’t have to measure success the way everyone else does. In short, we are freed to live for the glory of God and the life to come instead of our own glory and the life we now have.
I decided to write a tribute of a different sort here. Although I could write much about the charming, generous, encouraging, loving, humble and generally fascinating man he was, I decided to reflect on the example he set. What did he do as a grandparent that made such a big impact on me, my siblings, and my cousins?
If we carelessly slander others, we participate in the work of the Devil. Let us be those whose judgments bear weight because we are known for being slow to speak and quick to listen. Let us be those who can truly expose wickedness because we have not become unwitting participants with the forces of darkness. Let us not be noisy gongs or clanging symbols, but let us be those whose character resembles Jesus Christ, in word and in action.
Our inheritance is Christ! And this is the greatest provision we can give to our natural and spiritual children. You may have inherited futility from your forefathers (1 Peter 1:18), but you can leave a rich spiritual inheritance to your children. Leave them with more than material goods: leave them with Christ!
Being a father is different than just being a teacher, a manager, or a leader: a father shapes the culture and behavior of a family, church, business, or organization in a foundational way that holds sway even after he is no longer present.
Our children desperately need us to instruct them in the ways of the Lord and in the practical skills necessary to live in this world. This requires that we take the time to patiently teach them and include them in what we do. We need to tell them why we do things, and we need to show them how they, too, can do what we do.
What is the main goal of being a father?
Perhaps you have never thought about this, but in any area of life, we have to know where we are going if we are ever going to get there. Another way of saying this is the “Why” should determine the “How.” Once we answer the question of why we are going to do something, then we can rightly address the question of how we will do it. If you get this order wrong, you will be lost, as you will begin with the practical solution rather than the heart attitude.
We all want justice, but that desire for justice means so much more than what is bubbling at the surface of current events. Justice is at the very heart of the gospel, and God loves justice.
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