Significance or Success

It is Father's Day this weekend in New Zealand and as a school teacher I am well aware that ours is a society depleted of fathers. There are so many children who grow up separated from their father. They may never have known their father, see him every second week, or have a substitute Dad. I see this as a significant ploy that the Devil uses in this country to separate and undermine our families.
I also see it as significant ploy of the enemy to strip our churches of their spritual fathers ( and mothers). People who are able to lead and nurture the next generation of believers, not because they have done a course, or its their job, but simply because of who they are. It's the way they do life that is so attractive, people see them and say "I want what you have." The father (or mother) may reply "if you want what I have....then you do what I do".

What might that be you may well ask?

I believe it is hearing that still small voice that Elijah heard in 1 Kings 19. There was a wind, an earthquake, fire, and then in the gentle whisper, there was the voice of the Lord. We get hung up on the earthquakes, fire and winds of our circumstances that we miss the voice of the Lord. I believe one of the whispers is the Holy Spirit himself testifying to our spirit that we need the Father.

Romans 8:15-16......" but you have recieved the Spirit of sonship and by him we cry Abba Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

Our frantic activity does not make us significant to the next generation in anything but a worldy sense. These actions gain us a response that the world understands - Success 'The attention and acknowledgement of other people'. However a true relationship with the Father will bring everything into focus and allow us to be God's representatives on earth. Our activity on earth will not direct attention to ourselves but to the Father.

If we begin to seek the Father earnestly we may be able to rekindle the urgency and desire that will in the end transform the next generation by truly being a spiritual father or mother. This will begin to rebuild the church one day at a time and one person at a time. We may not be successful people in the world's eyes or even the church. We will however be significant children in God's eyes.

It may the difference between
" This is my Son (Daughter), in whom I am well pleased."

and
" well done good and faithful servant."

or worse

"Away from me I never knew you"

It is Fathers day everyday, Spend time with your Dad today ..... Abba Father we love you.

Paul