On Sunday this weekend, the first day of Spring, Australia is celebrating Father’s Day. Like most good things, the origin of Father’s Day goes back about a hundred years to the desire of Christians to honour fathers like they already had adopted a special day to honour mothers. Due to this Christian influence, Father’s Day has become a global celebration, although the specific date may differ from country to country. In Australia, the first Sunday of Spring – the season of invigoration and growth – is set aside to remember our fathers.
Indeed, not many roles in society and the family are more important than that of being a father. The root problem of various social challenges (e.g. family break down, single mums, homelessness, drug abuse, crime, violence, unemployment) can be traced back to the lack of fathers. Often, families fall apart, children go astray, and people lose direction because there are no fathers. The role of husbands and fathers – as spiritual leaders – is critical for the wellbeing not just of the family but also of the church and society.
What, then, is a good father? It is interesting to note the eight points listed by wikiHow: 1) Good fathers have fun with their children; 2) they spend time with their children; 3) they teach their children by word and example; 4) they show affection to their children; 5) they respect their children’s mother; 6) they don’t put unreasonable expectations on their children; 7) they don’t have unreasonable expectations of themselves; and 8) they realise that a father’s job is never done. These are attributes that our fathers may adopt.
However, there is something much more important for fathers to embrace. The most important thing that you need to be a good father is faith in the Lord Jesus. The best gift that fathers can give to their children is the truth of the gospel. The greatest legacy that fathers may leave for their children is a life of covenant faithfulness. Through the power that comes from faith in the Lord Jesus, fathers love and care for their children, they labour and persevere for their families, they rejoice and generate hope for the future. Fathers are the heroes of faith and the effective agents of God’s kingdom.
It is not easy to be a father. Many voices in society attempt to undermine the authority and role of fathers in the family. It is often hard for fathers to put bread on the table and to balance work, church and family commitments. On Father’s Day, let us pray for our fathers. Let us honour our fathers and let us encourage them to hold on to their faith in the Lord Jesus. Our families, our church and our society desperately need Christian fathers. If you have a Christian father in your family, praise God from the bottom of your heart! And then hang on to him with all your might! Let us celebrate all our fathers this Father’s Day! As Spring revives nature, so too fathers – through the power that comes from faith in the Lord Jesus – may bring restoration and renewal to their families.
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