READ: 1 Corinthians 4:14-16

«For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.» - 1 Corinthians 4:15

God will send you different fathers at different times. God is going to send a number of different people to father you. The first of these is your earthly father whom you must receive properly. You must not see your earthly father as an “ancient of days” who is out of touch with the realities of modern life. Seeing your biological father as outmoded hinders you from receiving his great wisdom.

This biological father will have his limitations in fathering. Soon the relay will have to begin and the next person sent by the Lord to father you will arrive on the scene. Through his ministry, you will receive the fatherly care that you need to go through the next stage of your life. Then another person may arise who will play a fatherly role in your life. A relay of sorts is in motion! The baton of fatherhood has passed from one person to the other.

There are many things that your biological father doesn’t talk to you about. Maybe he should talk about everything, but he doesn’t. For many of us, our parents did not give us step by step counselling on choosing a wife or a husband. Most biological parents just made comments about different things in marriage.

That is often as far as their marriage counselling goes. Thank God for the pastors who often take up that role and guide children into marriage. Pastors often become the next father in the relay.