Fatherlike…
Though
Fathers’ Day is a relatively new phenomena without the historical heritage of
Mothers’ Day; and though like all these celebration days is a commercial
minefield; and though I am conscious it invokes painful memories or realities for
some; I think it is a God-given opportunity we need to grasp. Not for the warm, pleasant feeling of being
given gifts but with a resolute focus on God.
God
is our Father
349
times across the 27 books of the New Testament God is explicitly called our
Father. Add in references to us as his
children or family and we’ve reached a staggering 905 references to God as the
perfect, loving, protective Father.
God
is the good Father
There
is a risk that we view God through the lens of our human fathers – and for many
that is not positive. Absent, abusive,
distracted. Or perhaps simply trying
hard but imperfect. The best human
fathers are just a glimpse of God the Father.
He has ‘adopted’ us as his children.
It is a remarkable act of gracious kindness and as any adopted child
will tell you – overwhelmingly transformative.
(cf: Romans 8:15, 23 & 9:4; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5).
God
calls us to father like him
If
you are a dad, granddad, or father-like to others the main thing you are called
to do is image what God the Father is like through your fathering. Is it tough and tender? Is it protective and releasing? Is it strong and gentle? Is it creative and directive? Is it generous and restrained? For those we father (biologically, through
fostering or adoption, through influence) – what impression of God are they
receiving?
God
calls us to father the fatherless
‘Religion
that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after
orphans and widows in their distress…’ (James 1:27)
God
the loving Father who has adopted us as his children calls us to find ways to
father the fatherless. Formal ways. www.homeforgood.org.uk
is a useful place to start thinking about adoption and fostering. There is also a thousand informal relationships.
A
moment’s reflection means we realise we do not need to be a biological father
to do this – single men, men without biological children, men whose children
are grown. We can and we should all be
fathers.
What
capacity to embrace others into your fathering do you have for those who find
themselves fatherless?
Could
you foster? Could you adopt? How could you father a fatherless one?
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