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Fathering: A Unique Characteristic Designed by God
God is the master designer of anything He has purposed. In this regard anything that God has crafted for life is a solution for potential problems that lie ahead. Fathering is a carefully designed characteristic that emanates from God. Bearing in mind the principle that says, “You cannot give what you don’t have”, God himself gives mankind the vocation of fathering from the heart of His very being. The Master Crafter has designed it in such a way that fathering be a success, as He is a successful father.
The designer is a father Himself. As such His character embraces the calling of fathering. He has availed the reciprocity to fathering, meaning sons and daughters can relate to a father. His relationship with Adam and Eve is a recorded demonstration of a father and his family. Yet such a perceived pure family structure encountered a challenge under pressure from the enemy.
Just as God created the heavens and the earth out of chaos, the enemy induced chaos to His order of fathering and the family became challenging and problematic. Just because mankind embraces a calling from God, it does not make the call immune to challenges, yet it still remains God’s design for influencing His family structure.
Fathering is a lifestyle embodied in the relationship God the Father has with His begotten Son, Jesus. This epitomizes the father-son relationship which is profound and sincere. Since God the Father’s relationship with mankind has always been about the standard of living and a way of life, this should be reflected in the fathers’ relationships with their respective families. God the Father’s relationship with His Son, Jesus; should reflect any father’s relationship with his children here on earth. This relationship is the prototype.
Fathering is a lifestyle that works on the premise of a quality decision. Fathers will encounter both great and challenging opportunities from a point of view of how they feel or their perceptions. Under pressure, the character of fathering manifests when decisions to father are made from either a godly perspective or otherwise. It is then that God’s pedigree of fathers is distinguished from any other.
“It is not flesh and blood but the heart, which makes us fathers and sons.” Johann Schiller
What makes us fathers and sons comes from the clear understanding and wisdom of knowing who we are in God. Fathering comes from the heart of God the Creator, not creation. There is therefore no other way for effective fathering other than from God; it surely did not emanate from evolution. It is not an ancient myth but is a product of an undisputed God the Father.
All Human identity and DNA originates from an immortal God, meaning we have the potential to be like God. In spite of the diversity of religious affiliation of this earth, all human life emanates from God. As such God has empowered us with the choice of being like Him. Since God the Father lives in the realm of fathering, mankind likewise is designed to live in this realm too. It only becomes difficult when we fail to:
1. Understand who we are in God
2. Receive from Him abilities and capabilities for the fathering calling.
Fathering in God is based on the premise of love. Fathering demands that unconditional decisions be made that submit to love, the God kind of love. Fathering is not dictatorial but autonomous to God’s way of doing life. Fathering as a lifestyle is not self-governing, but God-submitted to the infallible Word of God.
“A good father is one of the most unsung, upraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” Billy Graham.
God is a timeless; He is eternal, also omnipresent and omniscient. This does not necessarily suggest that fathers are omnipresent and omniscient but rather fathering should draw inspiration from the one and only Omnipresent and Omniscient. Whilst our fathering portfolios may be limited to a lifetime, God’s fathering responsibilities remain forever. Fathers should take time to learn from the Ultimate Father.
Fathers, like mothers, are not born developed but potentially carry the abilities and capabilities of being effective parents. Men carry the choice to develop into effective fathers. If positively developed; fathering can be an important component that develops God’s kingdom. As such strong fathers head great families that influence societies and nations and eternally impact God’s kingdom.
Allow me to share a little of my convictions on fathering through these quotes:
• Fathering is God’s anticipated solution participating in the development of His perpetuating kingdom.
• Fathering is neither limited to an art or a science. It is solely God’s design and designation to perpetuate a kingdom dynamic purposed for His glory.
• As a man, I am born with ‘fathering’ as an anticipated calling, to be developed into a lifestyle over a lifetime to influence my family to live God’s designed and designated standard of living.
• Fathers look beyond correcting; the right or wrong of their respective families. Instead they look to reconcile their families by loving them.
• Fathers never stop loving. It is their debt here on earth.
“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” Proverbs 13:22
In essence fathering is a calling demonstrated by a God directed lifestyle for a lifetime. Fathers, you have the potential to positively impact your sons and daughters in your generation and beyond. Effective fathering to all fathers!
By Kudzai Shoko, Master Trainer, National Centre for Fathering Southern Africa Kudzai is a Master Trainer in Johannesburg, South Africa serving on the Board of the National Centre for Fathering Southern Africa. He is the Southern Africa liaison for The Father’s Cry and a member of the ICan Foundation. You can contact him about this or any fathering issue at
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