10 Jul The call to be a humble father
As fathers, we are called by God to help our children to grow spiritually and emotionally. Jesus, our Savior and the greatest man who ever lived, set us an example in who to be and how to help our children grow. He said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, emphasis added)
Jesus defines himself as being gentle and humble in heart. As His faithful disciples, that is what we also need to be, especially as fathers raising children!
How will being humble enable us to be more effective fathers? Sharing with our children our own need for the love, grace, guidance, and forgiveness of God will encourage and inspire them. They will see that in spite of our imperfections and weaknesses, God loves us and is with us. In the same way, God loves them and is with them—even when they make mistakes. Our children will also see that God’s love for us is what inspires and enables us to love them so deeply!
One way we demonstrate humility is by admitting and apologizing for any mistakes we make with our children or with others in our family. Admitting our mistakes and weaknesses does not cause our kids to lose respect for us—rather, it helps them to trust and respect us even more! This humility helps to remove their anger and pain, and it gives them peace. It also teaches them to imitate us—to admit and apologize when they make their own mistakes.
What does Paul, one of the most courageous preachers who ever lived, have to say about pride and humility?
“I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.” (2 Corinthians 12:5)
What does the rock, the Apostle Peter, have to say about pride and humility?
“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5-6)
What does the Bible tell us about Moses, the greatest leader of the Old Testament era?
“Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3)
Fathers, we see clearly from Scripture that our great Bible heroes were all men of humility, as was Jesus Himself. Let us be humble in our hearts before God, and humble in the way we raise our children. As we do so, we will win our children’s hearts. We will draw them closer to God as we lead them in a more peaceful, intimate way. As we grow in humility, God will graciously be with us, helping us to become even more effective fathers!
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