Who do you look up to?

As humans, we all look to someone’s life and actions to learn from them. Children observe their fathers and mothers in order to learn how to deal with life’s many challenges. Many children don’t get the privilege of having both of their parents present with them due to unforeseen circumstances, so they look to an aunt, uncle, brother, sister, or foster parent for the needed mentorship. However, the greatest mentorship we can get is looking unto Jesus. He is our perfect mentor. He is the true author and finisher of our faith. He teaches us what true faithfulness, maturity, love, peace, joy, respect, faith and family is. He is the door to the Heavenly Father. It is by His sacrifice that we were adopted into His family. He teaches us what a true, mature and righteous man is and does. He is the finisher of our faith. In other words, He helps us throughout our lifetime in all of our difficulties and challenges, and by His Spirit, continually strengthens our faith so that we can make it to the finish line of life in victory! Yes, we all look up to someone in life, but the perfect model and mentor is the Lord Jesus Himself. Look to Him. He is the author and finisher of your faith!

Hebrews 12:2 “looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]”.

Where are the fathers and mothers?

“In every son, there is a father.” This is such a powerful truth. As fathers filled with the Holy Spirit, we have the honor and privilege of raising up strong oak trees in the house of the Lord. Ask God every day for wisdom, grace and patience, so that you can raise your children in the ways and admonition of the Lord. The principle of parenting also extends to every Christian, whether or not you are a natural father or mother, and even if you do not have natural children. We are all called to disciple those that God places in our care. We should all strive to be “fathers and mothers” in the house of the Lord. Our natural and spiritual children are all bombarded with evil philosophies and teachings every day, and they are tempted and attacked like we are. It is incumbent upon us to cover them with God’s love, and lovingly train them in the way that they should go. See yourself today as someone that our Heavenly Father wants to work with and through in this confused world. Your sons and daughters await you!

Ephesians 6:4 – And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.