One of my fondest memories of my dad was when we went to see our favorite NFL team, the Washington Redskins, play and defeat the New York Giants. Best of all, though, was th
e great experience of just being with my dad. What about your experience(s) with your dad? I sincerely hope you have many warm memories.
However, please allow me to share a few more personal memories. I remember seeing my father on his knees every night praying for our family and the church family (though, I must confess I sometimes heard him snoring). You see, my dad was a bi-vocational pastor who worked for the Department of Labor for more than 30 years, while at the same time serving as pastor of Round Oak Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Md.
As a tribute to my late father, let me say that I never heard him curse. I never saw him drink liquor. And, he never mistreated or dishonored my mom. He never abused me or my siblings…well, except when I got “whoppings” (in those days, my parents didn’t know anything about “spankings.” I wish they had heard of Dr. Spock). He always took us to church no matter the weather, no matter the day, and no matter whether I wanted to go or not. We went every Sunday, to every revival, and every VBS! My father truly loved the Lord and loved us, and we witnessed it everyday.
My dad was a man like Enoch, who walked with God. He didn’t pastor any large churches (four churches in all), he didn’t write any books, and he wasn’t a big time preacher who traveled all the time. He simply loved people and faithfully pastored the flock of God for nearly 40 years.
There are many attributes that mark a great dad, but the one I chose to highlight is one who walks with God. No doubt, while the mother’s role is essential and undeniable, often the role of the father is mocked, minimized, or macerated. But clearly the role of the father is critical in raising a godly offspring.
In Gen. 5:24, we have the account of Enoch, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” This is a marvelous testament to this man of God. In spite of being in the chapter of the dead (noted by the phrase “and he died” eight times), and in spite of the moral decay (i.e. Gen. 6:5-7), and his own family, he had an unparalleled grip on the God of the Bible. For 300 years he walked with God …and some people today can’t walk with God for two minutes! Praise God for the example of a dad who did not compromise with the world, nor did he allow the world to shape him into its mold. Enoch so pleased God, that God spared him the experience of physical death and ushered him straight into the place of the righteous.
I encourage all men to walk with God starting with being born again! (John 3:3, 5, 16). Receive Jesus today as your Savior and Lord.
Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ is the most manly thing any man can do. Jesus put it this way, “…If anyone would come after me , let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
May the month of June bring all Southern Baptists in Maryland/Delaware great blessings and joy in walking with God, through obedience to His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.