Resolve this New Year to Pass the Baton well to the next generation. PASS and BATON are acronyms Faithful Fathering uses to encourage dads on the journey - The ‘P’ is for being Purpose-filled. The question becomes one of whose purpose a dad identifies with. Typically, all fall under one or more of three primary identities - Identity in the world, in self or in the Trinity.
Identity in the world is the drive to be successful from a worldly perspective. This is the busy-ness that calls for long hours at the office and/or a heavy travel schedule that pushes family down on the priority list. This is called the secular life – man’s will in man’s strength.
Identity in self is similar but the busy-ness is grounded in a drive to do, doing good stuff. But church work, committee assignments, Board positions and other volunteer capacities can take valuable time away from family just as the secular life does. This is called the religious life – What is perceived as God’s will being done in man’s strength.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. – John 10:10. The thief works through the secular life and even the religious life to steal joy, kill marriages and destroy families. The Lord’s call is for the abundant life. That requires an identity in the Trinity.
Identity in the Trinity is the prioritization of physical presence in family, being engaged emotionally and leading spiritually by example. As dads reflect the triune nature of God in the home, this becomes the abundant life – God’s will being done in God’s strength.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for being our Father, for opening the door to relationship with You through Jesus the Christ and for giving us the Holy Spirit. I confess that I have been caught up in identities in the world and in self. Forgive me. Strengthen me in the power of the risen Christ and indwelling of the Holy Spirit on this journey of establishing an identity in the Trinity, to live life abundantly and be a faithful father. Amen.
A faithful father lives life abundantly, purpose-filled with identity in the Trinity.
Resolve this New Year to Pass the Baton well to the next generation. PASS and BATON are acronyms Faithful Fathering uses to encourage dads on the journey - The ‘P’ is for being Purpose-filled. The question becomes one of whose purpose a dad identifies with. Typically, all fall under one or more of three primary identities - Identity in the world, in self or in the Trinity.
