Faithful Fathers
For fathers that call upon the Lord, it is our hearts’ desire that our children honour God and want to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Fathers will need to look at God’s way of calling, loving, connecting and disciplining the children entrusted to them. The father’s heart is one that would always be kind, loving and faithful which is a reflection of God’s character (Psalm 51:1; John 3:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:3) even when our children might respond otherwise.
I used to think that if my wife and I obey the Lord as best as we can and love Him, the Lord will grant us children that will also walk in this way as promised in Scripture (Deuteronomy 7:9). However, life is not as simple as that. In 2 Timothy 3: 1–5, we see how people will behave in the end times. Through my own shortcomings and sinful nature, I have seen my own limitations, but God’s faithfulness has always been extended to me. He also wants me to emulate this faithfulness that I have experienced from Him and to pass on to my family. It is through these circumstances that God continues to mould me to reflect Him, and in that process, take on and develop the values of God Himself within me.
In situations where my expectations are met, it is easy to celebrate and be happy. The difficulties arise when my expectations are unmet and the emotions of anger, disappointment and even betrayal surface. How does a father reflect God’s faithfulness in these circumstances? I guess in my own journey of fatherhood, I have come to realise my own unworthiness in receiving God’s abundant grace and through the circumstances He allows me to go through, He gives me a glimpse into His own heart – a heart of His gentleness and faithfulness. A heart that communicates a Father’s selfless love which constantly invites me to drink deeply into His fellowship so that I can also try to portray these qualities too as a father. As my trust and relationship with God grow, I also begin to understand in new ways that His concern for my family always exceeds mine. As I partake in desiring to obey Him, He enables me to see His faithfulness to my family, sometimes in ways that I have yet to comprehend. Through these experiences, God is developing in me a heart of gratitude towards Him. This gratitude does not only take place when things go smoothly and everything is fine. This gratitude also occurs when things are difficult and knowing deep within my heart that God is in control and His reasons for allowing these issues into my life are for His higher purposes. How I respond and process these thoughts in my life is important and I need to guard my heart so that no bitter root grows up which can defile many (Hebrew 12:15).
Some of us might be going through a good season as a father and it is a joyous time, while some of us are having a rough patch trying to understand where God is at the moment. We must continue to trust that our faithful God is drawing us to Himself in the situations He allows us to experience. Sometimes there can be no answers and through the process of unanswered questions, deepen our own faith in Him by causing us to seek Him (Hebrews 11:1, 6) in a deeper way.
May our fatherhood journey reflect the heart of our heavenly Father.
Blessed Father’s Day!
By Elder Joey Hong