Act Like a Man: 9 Ways to Punch Life in the MouthSample

Father: Leave Your Legacy

To be a good father, raise godly kids, and have a fruitful legacy takes both faith and focus. As men, we must focus on the people in front of us and the things we have dominion and responsibility over. Sometimes things in life distract and divert us – politics, culture, work, or something in the news – and we look right over the people who are right in front of us. As a husband, you want to make sure you’re not overlooking your wife. As a father, you don’t want to overlook your children. You may not be able to decide what happens in your country, but you can decide what happens in your family. You can be active, present, a blessing, and used by God to minister to your family.

As Christian men, we have a unique perspective on fatherhood because God is our Father. In certain religions, their god is an impersonal force, a pantheon of gods and deities, or there’s a goddess. In Christianity, Jesus Christ comes to Earth, and He’s the Son of God. Jesus’ favorite and most frequent name for God is Father.

When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He even started it out with “Our Father.” He teaches and trains us to call God “Father.” As Christians, we’re the sons of God, adopted into God’s family, with God as our active, present, discipling, loving, providing Father. He sets the example for us of what healthy fathering looks like.

If you are a husband and father with kids living under your roof, these are the good old days. Fatherhood is a hard and exhausting job. Economically, it doesn’t make sense to have a lot of kids. I have five kids, and I love them with all my heart. When the kids were little, I loved it. When they were in their teen years, I actually loved it. Now that they’re all launching or about to launch, I still love it. I really love being a dad. Now that our kids are growing, launching their own families, and adding grandkids to the best season of our lives, I could not fathom a deeper joy. I have had the privilege of traveling the world to preach in dozens of nations and have seen God show up over and over in supernatural ways, and nothing is more joyful and wonderful than sitting at our dinner table and praying together before a meal to then laugh throughout it. If your kids know you love them and you’re trying, that’s 90% of the battle. Don’t be discouraged, and don’t be dissuaded. God’s way is still the best way.

If you’re a single man, don’t just be looking for a wife. Look for a wife who will be a good mother because God is seeking godly offspring. If you’re an exhausted young father, I want to honor, celebrate, and thank you. Thank you for being active. Thank you for being present. Thank you for being involved. Thank you for caring. Thank you for trying. You’re making a difference. For those of us who are older fathers, we now have an opportunity to coach up our sons to become fathers. We also have an opportunity to encourage the younger fathers to be spiritual fathers.

Who is God asking you to father or spiritually father?