ARTICLE: HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! | JACOB VARGHESE
Ephesians 6:2-3 (NIV) “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise- “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
The other day I had overheard my daughter’s talking about the celebration of father’s day. I understand in India, father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. This year, it will be celebrated on Sunday, June 20, 2021. What comes to your mind when you hear the term Father’s Day? Father is undoubtedly the most important member of the family whose love for his children and his role for the family is very important. As head of the household, fathers shoulder a huge responsibility. As a Christian I understand from Bible, Abraham is known as the Father of many nations. He is a role model of faith and righteousness. He is chosen by God to lead his children and his family. How about modern-day fathers? Many fathers face challenges on a day-to-day basis. Fathers are called to provide for the family in all ways – financially, emotionally, spiritually and physically. In order to develop a meaningful relationship with our loved ones, it’s important that we have our full attention for them. As fathers, we need to stand strong while we are still trying to find our way at the same time and makes Godly decisions to be a Good Dad.
While celebrating this special day there is a deep stirring of emotions depending on the relationship one has with their earthly father. As I mentioned about my children, some children plan for this celebration weeks before to shower their father with gifts and love while there are some who will do whatever it takes to forget that this day is even recognized. However, I understand the absence of a father in a child’s life greatly affects their ability to love and trust God. Whether we call him Dad, Papa, Pops, or Father, his role as head of the home demands selfless sacrifices with big responsibilities. It is a high calling to play the role of a father. I know there are many men who have fallen short or completely abandoned this high calling. I agree earthly fathers are imperfect human beings but our Heavenly Father is perfect in every way. Too often the role of each dad is confused because we place unrealistic reliance and trust on a human father rather than placing them on Almighty God. When we choose to take our high expectations of perfection from our earthly father and place them on God – we will begin to experience freedom like never before. Our relationship with our dad will improve when we choose to pour God’s grace into that relationship and put faith in God alone.
It might be a challenging day for many children. Perhaps your father didn’t fulfill his responsibilities as he should have or he was an abusive person. Maybe you grew up without a father, or he is no longer living. You may feel fatherless. Whether your father is one of the best or not, there is a perfect father waiting to embrace you as His own. He is God the Father. He is good and full of unconditional love. He wants to adopt you and make you as His child. God promises this, “I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters.” God Himself is a father. God tells us to honor our fathers and mothers, but what does it mean to really “honor” them? The Bible teaches us that the way to honor our parents it to: obey them, respect them, and never cause them pain. If you read the rest of the commandment above, you will read that if you do these things, God promises that your life will be so much more joyful and successful. Make your parents proud and glad. You will never regret it. So let us honor our Heavenly Father today by honoring our earthly dads. Love, respect, pray, and forgive them when needed. And let us celebrate Happy Father’s Day!
JACOB VARGHESE
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