John 5:19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does ( NLT)
A MODEL OF CHRISTIAN DEVOTION
On the day of my convocation, when my parents and famlies were about leaving the convocation ground, we all gathered beside the vehicle to pray. One of my room mates back in school was with us.
After they left, he said "In over twenty years of living with my parents, we have not prayed together as a family neither did I see them praying alone"( paraphrase). He was surprised to see us praying as a family unit. He had no model of Christian devotion and consecration though himself is a believer.
Today, I see myself Imitating my parents in certain things especially their devotional life. Those days, whenever we wake up, we met them praying privately. Today, when my children wake up, they meet me praying.
Oftentimes, I position myself to be seen by them because I am modeling something to them intentionally. I want them to value personal devotion. I emphasize to them the importance of having an altar. I am not just talking it, I am modeling it because kingdom habits&routines are contagious.
We learn by imitation. Imitation is not limitation If you are imitating the right thing. In Hebrews 6:12, the bible says, "that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises".
However, the next generation can only imitate the models they see. Fathers, we must be models of true christian devotion and consecration. Your children should see your dedication to the things of the kingdom and imitate you in that.
If truly you want your children to be devoted to the Lord, lead the way. Do not sit at home watching football while mid week service is going on in church. Let them be part of your devotional life. Share with them from scriptures and let them share what they learn in their study. Take them to church and let them see how you value fellowship with other brethren.
Do not grow spiritually in isolation, integrate them. Talking about a generation of Israelites, when their fathers failed in modeling devotion, the bible says, "After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel" (Judges 2:10 NLT).
Fathers, we must be conscious of posterity in all we do. If we don't want our children to depart from the way of the Lord, we must be in the Lord and walk in his ways.
Let your family be part of your christian devotion and consecration. Show and teach them the importance of having a devotional life and integrate them. Do not live your spiritual life in isolation.