Happy Father's Day by David R. Kenney

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

In 1972, the government designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. We live in a time when even fundamental concepts are being challenged. The value of fatherhood has been disputed, but both the Bible and statistics speak of the value of fathers. For example, “children from fatherless homes are more likely to be poor, become involved in drug and alcohol abuse, drop out of school, and suffer from health and emotional problems. Boys are more likely to become involved in crime, and girls are more likely to become pregnant as teens” (www.fathers.com).

Have you ever considered why God is depicted as our Father? He is not only the Father to the Son, Jesus, but He is “Our Father” (cf. Matt 6:9; Luke 11:2). W. Terry Varner observed: “If we listen carefully to our prayers, and the prayers of others, we will notice the term Father is probably used more often than any term or designation of God. Why? The term Father suggests all those characteristics inherent in the term of earthly father” (A Prayer From Heaven – The Model Prayer as Evidence for the Deity of Jesus Christ, 15). The most important responsibility of a father is to establish a relationship between his children and their Heavenly Father: “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph 6:4 NKJV). Fatherhood is so important that the highest level of leadership between Christ and the congregation include this qualification: “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);” (1 Tim 3:4–5).

Perhaps there is some reason Father’s Day is difficult for you. Maybe your father is now deceased? Maybe your father was not the admirable kind? Do not let that keep you from honoring those who are fathers. Some children do not have a father. Perhaps you could fill that role by mentoring a child who needs a Christian man in their life. Perhaps you have a Christian father to enjoy this holiday with. If so, celebrate! Maybe this could be a time to reconcile past infractions with your father. If there are issues in the relationship with your earthly father, then please do not wait too long to repair the breach. A father’s love may be forever, but his life here is but a span.