WALK WITH THE WISE: A FATHER’S DAY MESSAGE

WALK WITH THE WISE:

A FATHER’S DAY MESSAGE

Monday, June 20, 2022

SCRIPTURE:

I 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him.20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” 24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves. – Exodus 18:14-26

THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

Many years ago, my father passed away unexpectedly at the age of 55 of undiagnosed heart disease, just two days after Christmas. It was tough to say the least. During that time, I was blessed with a new friendship from a church member whom I didn’t know that well. This man of God blessed me with a listening ear and journeyed with me in such a compassionate and caring way. He was a “Stephen Minister”, in case any of you have heard of that.

At the time, I was a newly married young man and father, and was beginning a new life in full-time ministry. This man re-presented Christ to me by walking alongside me during a season of grief when I needed someone most.

Over the years, having children of my own, our family has been really blessed by senior adults in each of the congregations we have served. The friends we have met in each church family have become like our own family. Older men and older women have loved our children as if they were their own. And they have loved my wife and I as if they were our own parents in many ways. It has been a blessing to have such persons in our lives over the years.

Ever since losing my father and, shortly thereafter, hearing God’s call to pastoral ministry, I have tried to be intentional about establishing relationships with “seasoned” pastors, mentors, older men and women who have, “been there, done that,” so-to-speak, to help shape me and encourage me to live into my identity as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

As we recently celebrated Father’s Day yesterday, I couldn’t help but to think about my own Father and the way in which he, and so many others, have stepped into the role of Father over the years. Through a myriad of women and men of faith, God, my Heavenly Father, has richly blessed our family, with wonderful relationships, in which we give God thanks.

FOR REFLECTION:

So how about you? Who are those persons in your own life that have been “like” a father for you? Role models, mentors, spiritual leaders, encouragers, example setters, etc.?

Who are the men of faith that have encouraged you over the years to know the love of Christ, and to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit during every time and season of your life and ministry? Do you keep in touch with them? Have you told them recently how much you appreciate them and what they mean to you? Or have you lost touch, moved away, stopped calling or communicating with one another for whatever reason?

Lord knows, we all need seasoned Christ-followers to encourage us in our walk of faith, especially for those of us who have been called and set apart by God to lead others as well. I think of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses who mentored and encouraged him. I think of Jesus and the relationship He had with His disciples. I think of Peter and young Timothy, and Paul and Barnabas too.

Again, as we celebrate Father’s Day, consider the men of faith that have been there for you over the years. Consider strengthening those relationships and with intentionality, discover new ones. And even so, consider who you might be a mentor and encourager for as well.

PRAYER:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation.

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory forever and ever.

Amen.

APPLICATION / RESOURCE:

Sometime this week, take some time to reflect upon those Godly men of faith who have helped to shape you into the man or woman of faith that you are today. Give God thanks for them in quiet prayer. And then consider reaching out to them in the coming week.

SONG: Walk with the Wise by Steven Curtis Chapman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgUQv4A7ZeQ