We are encouraged from an early age to be successful – Successful in getting good grades; Successful in making the team; Successful in your performance. Later in life it manifests into performing on the job; Climbing the career ladder; Improving the margin for your company.
The drive to be successful can distract a dad with long hours on the job or traveling. At its worst, success can turn a heart to prideful lust after status and money. Success is not a sin. The pride and lust success can stir up are sins. Dads must stay alert to success gone awry. It is one of the devil’s best schemes and is to be rebuked.
While He was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus, “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to Me. … She did what she could. She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for My burial.” – Mark 14:3-6, 8. Scripture does not reveal a lot about Mary of Bethany. She may very well have made the perfume of pure nard herself and its monetary value, referenced by some of those present, may have reflected her success, even her status in the community. She loved that perfume. But she loved her Lord more. Mary had respect for the monetary value of the perfume but the relational value of her action was priceless. She was being faithful in the relationship Jesus called her to. The others were doing what they hoped would be successful ministry.
“Spiritually, we cannot measure our life by success, but only by what God pours through us, and we cannot measure that at all.” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest). What God pours through dads and moms is their relationship with Jesus the Christ that in turn is poured over their children. The relational value of selfless, sacrificial love exhibited in marriage is priceless. On the journey, dads and moms will experience peaks when they feel successful in their parenting and valleys when they feel like failures. Successful fathering is not reality. Be a faithful father – prioritize physical presence, engage emotionally and lead spiritually by example. And commit to:
- Read Scripture, worship and pray daily;
- Complete the Dads Becoming Heroes study, click HERE;
- Read Seasons of Fathering, click HERE.
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your Word and the example of Mary. I confess I have been more like “some of those present” with a focus on the monetary results. Financial provision was foundational on the road to be a successful father. Forgive me. I commit to focus on my relationship with You and the relational value of my actions in family. Help me be more intentional in prioritizing my physical presence, engaging emotionally and leading spiritually by example. That is the dad You call me to be, and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father focuses on the relational value of his actions.
