Today's man is more confused than ever. With so many demands and so many voices, it is often unclear what a real man "should be." For most men, life is all about conquest! But which areas of a man's life are most important to conquer?
Without a lot of argument, the role of fathering is one that we would probably all agree is near the top of a man's list, second only to his marriage and personal walk with God. With a quick glance at some of the responsibilities men face as fathers (emotional security, protection, discipline and spiritual leadership, to name a few) it is no wonder that the influence of a dad is perhaps the strongest and most lasting influence in a child's life. It is from the father that children ultimately draw their sense of identity.
But where does a father go to receive the sense of security, protection, discipline and daily spiritual leadership he needs as he carries out his role of fathering? The greatest news of all is the promise that those who have begun a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ have the Ultimate Father to look to as an example, and from Whom they can draw their strength.
The prophet Isaiah refers to Creator God as the "Everlasting Father" (Isaiah 9:6). And we see the promise of God in 2 Corinthians 6:18, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters." And we are reminded of the most widely used prayer of all time in Matthew 6:9 which, by no coincidence, opens with the phrase, "Our Father, which art in heaven..."
When fathers mirror the parenting of our heavenly Father, they provide their children with a healthy view of who God is and lead them to desire Him as their own personal heavenly Father. For He is "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Psalm 103:8).
"When I grow up, I want to be just like my Dad." This is perhaps the greatest compliment known to a father. For when fathers mirror God's fathering skills, their children's desire becomes ultimately to be like God.
The song, "I Want to be Just Like You" by Christian artists Phillips, Craig & Dean, captures this idea of mirroring God as our Father in a beautiful portrayal of a father's relationship to his son.
I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight, trippin' over the toys as I turn out the light. And I whisper a prayer that someday he'll see he's got a father in God 'cause he's seen Jesus in me. Lord, I want to be just like You 'cause he wants to be just like me. I want to be a holy example for his innocent eyes to see. Help me be a living Bible, Lord that my little boy can read. I want to be just like You 'cause he wants to be like me.
Knowing that fathering is one of the most challenging and rewarding roles in a man's life, Ron Hutchcraft has provided a great resource called "Extreme Manhood" that exposes lies that men buy, and provides some surprising secrets to power and fulfillment that every man should know.