O Father, Our father
Posted by releasedexpressions on June 14, 2008
O Father, Our father
Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. — Psalm 103:13
O Father, our father
The light and hope of the future
The builder and sustainers’ of life
The example for generations.
O Father, our father,
Teach us each day
The things to do on our way
And give us the protection to know
That you are, forever by our side
O Father, our father.
The father walks into the hospital room but he is not the father, while the mother stares intently on him but she’s not the mother. They both embrace each other in the silence of the room screaming with the echoes of an absence child. It was a day never imagined and yet there was some hope left and that hope gave some assurance that a new day was on its way.
Fatherhood is a higher calling to be an example of truth and grace to those we have been honoured to serve. It is because of this reality that this structure is so greatly attacked and the statistics reflect so many walking away. However, today I will not focus on what is happening in our society but rather to create a ray of hope that there is time for healing to come into the lives of fathers who have fallen victim to the lies that surround them.
It is time to recognize who you are and your place in the home, society and in the lives of your offspring. Amidst the clutter and confusion of the forces in our society that daily degrade the structure of the father, as men we need to step away from those forces and redirect our consciousness to our Father.
The channel of fatherhood is a direct connection to the creator of the earth and it is through God that our directive comes. If that channel is broken, it can only lead to a continued decline in the function of the family and society. For every thing within the order of creation was, is and continues to be channelled through the father. It is a huge responsibility for any one man to carry. However, we as men must begin to reach out to each other and create pillars of support extended to each other both offering and been receptive to the wisdom and guidance of other men.
There is a grave need for our community to rebuild the true identity of the father and his role and enhancing the value he brings into the life of humanity. It is through the father that the order of blessings and the passing of generations are established.
We have an awesome call. Not to live for ourselves but to love, protect and ensure the sustenance of life and the future well being of our families. This call is not to be taken for granted but is to be guarded with much care and diligence. The order requires sacrifice, commitment, discipline and a daily renewal of our existence. It is through this order the Proverbs expressed in Proverbs 17:6, Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons is their fathers.
The call requires of us as stated in Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. We have a task before us and a hope instilled in the core of our own being to be the leaders in our own families. It is something not learnt over night but is passed on down each generation. If we should neglect this then for sure we would have neglected our calling.
Let’s therefore stand forth as fathers in the order of the call as designed by God to reach beyond our current stand and boldly engage in a change that can only true begin with us. The lives of our generation and the generations to come, weigh heavily upon our shoulders. However, because this call was designed by God, it does not mean that our burden is ours to carry rather we only need to be obedient and make the required step while He lifts the burden and guide us through.
And so the father and the mother looked up and shining before them was a great light which radiated through their beings with the truth that a new day was on its way.
To my father and your father, may the ray of hope bring you back home and fill your heart with a renewed passion to embrace the call on your life, O Father, our father.v
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O. Stephen Peart is a writer and the founder of Released Expressions, focused on consistently producing inspiring content through a unique compilation of poetry, imagery, articles and music, to create an environment of inspired, self motivated individuals. To purchase his book Released Expressions – The Journey Begins, visit ReleasedExpressions.com. |
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