Here at LifeSpring, we want to appreciate all the fathers out there. Physical, spiritual, soon-to-be, one day fathers–we want to appreciate every male in this house.
I speak on behalf of my family and as a dad to this church: I love you guys. I am proud of you guys. You guys are good. We have amazing men in this church. We have had the blessing of encountering the Father’s heart and it is on full display as the love of the father is displayed through each and every one of our men in their own unique and special way. Here at LifeSpring we have very very good men.
As I was reflecting on becoming a physical father 13 years ago, a father to the business, to the church, and even as a spiritual father, I couldn’t help but realize how much has changed. Becoming a father has been one of the greatest things in my life. It has forced me to grow and mature. It has forced me to think carefully and about others. Becoming and learning to be a father has made a great impact on my life.
In my teenage rebellious years I admit I was immature, stupid, reckless, dangerous… I could keep going. But it was in those really broken and lost years that I realized and encountered the Father Heart of God. I realized with all my heart that Father God really really loves me, that I was His son and nothing could ever change that.
As I have grown in my faith and as a father, I have learned to put childish ways behind me. I have stopped reasoning and thinking like a child. I have greater integrity, I am more aware of holiness and righteousness, and I have switched to I really really love God.
Although this is not wrong, somewhere along this journey of being a father, things got a little bit distorted. It really is not about how much I love God–it is about how much God loves me. It is about how much God loves you, that is what truly matters.
We have amazing fathers in the LifeSpring family. We have fathers to their spiritual children, to their workplace, to their classroom, to their relatives, etc. But the primary role of the LifeSpring father is NOT to be a father, rather, it is first and foremost to be a son of the Most High King. Be a son first, fathering will overflow from there. To be a good father, you have to be a great son.
Sons know that the father is always there. Let us be sons by always going to the Lord in prayer–seeking His guidance and wisdom. Then allow God to release us to be fathers to where He has called us to be.
Father God, bless the men at LifeSpring. Not because we are worthy, or because we try hard. But because we are Your sons. Help us to be children that look to you for all things–not by our own hands and work, but simply by Your Spirit. Let us mature in becoming great sons, so that we will be released to be good fathers. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.