Fatherhood and Jenga . . .
Ever played Jenga? One of those games where strategy and still hands make for winning. Take out the wrong block and the whole thing comes tumbling down!
Satan’s plan has been exactly that with regards to fatherhood. A foundational ‘block’ in terms of what the Lord created in the beginning (Genesis 1 and 2), satan has been attempting to dislodge, unsettle, redefine, shut up, soften, steal, kill and destroy fatherhood . . . and it has been relatively successful particularly in the last 50 years. The media and certain parts of society have been attempting to redefine what it is to be a man whilst also criticizing those who choose to stand in the place of true manhood.
God’s plan for fatherhood, is that men would rise and lead, protect and take new territory on a continual basis. This is how we as men were made and this is what we are called to.
LEAD.
PROTECT.
GO AFTER NEW TERRITORY.
Joshua chapter 14 makes for great reading. It talks of Caleb and how he:
Had a word when he was 40 years old
Has had life happen and now finds himself at 85 years of age
Is still as strong now as he was then
Asks for the mountain and inheritance
Give me this mountain!
Men lead many of the negative statistics in our nation whether they be theft, violence, drug use, depression. These are the mountains that must be taken.
So to these mountains, we speak the opposite and claim the following:
Instead of fear, we will be men of FAITH.
Instead of apathy and inaction, we will be men of ACTION and FOCUS.
Instead of addiction, lust, adultery, we will be men of INTEGRITY, FREEDOM, and TRUSTWORTHY.
My encouragement to all men reading this today is to dive into the book of Proverbs daily. It is real wisdom that is practical and easily understood, relevant for today and for all men of all ages and stages.
If you really want to ramp up your manhood, read Proverbs + Acts + Joshua daily . . .
And if you want to go ‘nek level’: read Proverbs + Acts + Joshua daily and get around men who are strong in heart and character. You become like those you hang around with. Men, you get to choose - choose wisely, if not for yourself, then for your children and your children’s children.
Be a generation changer.
And to our wonderful ladies, if you want the best out of your man, please do the following:
Exhort and encourage your man - he will lead you to places you never thought imagineable
Respect and honour your man - he will fill your tank, no matter how strange or imcomprehensible your tank may be! :)
Clap as he rises and engages and takes action . . . even if it seems crazy, dangerous or risky! Celebrate how he has been designed by the King and you’ll have your real man back in no time!
Whanau - let us re-build the foundational blocks of our families and in doing so, we will see our communities rise and strengthen greatly.