Where Are We Going Daddy?
Dads, have you ever taken a trip with your young child? If you have, you know there are at least two questions children ask on such a trip. The first, and most common is: “Are we there yet?”. We’ve all heard that one. No trip is complete until a final destination is reached. The other question is: “Where are we going daddy?”
Fact is, we are all going someplace. We all have an eternal destination. We will not be “there yet” until we reach that destination. However, we all must first determine “where we are going”. Just because we choose, or simply desire to arrive at a specific location at the conclusion of this life doesn’t get us there. Fathers have a responsibility to those they helped bring into this world. Children, upon growing up, will indeed make their own decisions as to where they are going, but parents still must influence them in the right way. Ephesians 6:4 is a passage that surely springs to mind at this point. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
This is a principle that God directed Israel to keep from before the time in which they entered the Promised Land. This directive was given to Israel in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 to guide them. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. The frequency here should show how important this is.
We know from Joshua 24:15 their journey to their eternal destination was a matter of choice. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
The same thing holds true to those of us living in the New Testament age. We have a choice. We also have obligations toward our children. One of those obligations are to correct our children. We no doubt were on the receiving end of that when we were children, as Hebrews 12:9a points out. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: This was not pleasant, as I well remember. We are also reminded of this in Hebrews 12:11, which also show that the correction is for our own benefit. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
It is in perfect alignment with the plan of God that the fathers show the children where to go as well as how to get there. Chastisement is a small part of the trip. The latter part of 2Corinthians 12:14 clearly shows that the parents are to provide for their children. . . . for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. When we couple this with what Jesus stated in Matthew 6:19-20 we can understand what it is most important to provide. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: This is the instruction all children should hear and see from their fathers throughout their lives.
With this in mind, can we as earthly fathers not see how important it is to guide our children as to where they are to go, as well as how? Can we not teach them as they should he taught while they still live at home and are subject to us, as Hebrews 12:9b asks? . . . shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? This is the same things Ephesians 5:1 admonished the Christians in that area to do. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;. This was not the only congregation who was encouraged to keep going the right way and to the proper destination. Brethren in Thessalonica were given the example of fathers exhorting their children in 1Thessalonians 2:11-12. As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
God, in His infinite wisdom set things in order in the beginning when He created everything including man. In Genesis 2:24, even before children were born to Adam, the first human father, God declared how families would be established. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. But God did not leave man without direction about where to go, or how to get there. In Psalm 34:11 we see the Spirit having the psalmist write: Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
All children deserve an answer to the question: “Where are we going Daddy?” Fathers, where are you leading your children? What example are you setting before them? Do your actions “speak volumes” in opposition to your words? Fathers, you have a great deal of influence of your children, even those who are grown. What direction are you leading them?
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
