Today is Father's Day. Let the fathers in the house say 'Yeah! Yeah!!' I will join you in a few weeks from now in Jesus' name. At the moment, I am an expectant father. And I cherish this period of my life. It is almost comparable to the hours before the first night (if you know what I mean). God is about to birth a destiny through you. And that anticipation is compared to none. Have you been there before? Tell me, was this how you felt? Oh, it's so awesome! What a special privilege! I have this feeling; that this excitement will blow the rooftop when I see … (Oh! me-and-my-big-mouth!). And I can imagine the excitement growing by the day as I watch my … (Oh! me-and-my-big-mouth!) grows. Never mind, my wife said I should tell no one the gender yet. Wait a minute! Do fathers feel this way even when the child is fully grown? I do not want to get over this! There is absolutely nothing like it! Okay, let me calm down now. So this is a day to celebrate fathers, I hope I complete this piece before the day ends.
I want to start with God the Father. He is worthy to be praised and adored; the Father of the universe. Who can compare with You? You are such a responsible Father. You take care of every one of Your vast creation. Far into the depth of the sea, and up on the highest of mountains, even in the thickest of forest, wherever the tiniest life is found- there Your ever tender care abounds. Our heavenly Father, the very present One. Through to the darkest of times, He stays with us and sees us through. Available to all, yet personal to all. You remain the Ultimate Model for all. Forgiving, embracing, unfailing… What more can I say? I love You, Daddy Divine!
Oh yes! Meet my earthly father; Mr. Oyebode Patrick Olumodeji. He is popularly called OPO from his initials. Let me take off from there; Opo means 'pillar' in Yoruba language. And that is what you are. You are very stable, your principles run deep. Not many of your views have changed since I first called you 'daddy'. I know you may never read this; that's how far you are from modernity. But let the whole world know that you are such a friend. Not many of my friends had their daddies as friends- so they envy our rapport. We talk mostly politics, and people wonder why I was so wired up during the last elections. Let me talk of legacies; and first of all is Education. We even have the same alma-Mata. Second to this and better than it, you drove me to God. I learned on time the one thing you lack; a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Daddy, I love you so much and I still have much to learn from you. So today as always, I pray you accept God's love for you. There is so much more you still can be.
I have another father. He led me to the LORD. Biola Folusho Bamidele- don't ever think I could forget you. You came my way like a light through the storm. On hell's fastest lane was I, when you preach the message that gave the brake. You did not leave me there, you nurtured me to grow. Discipleship like friendship, I did not know which was which. There were some like me around you then; some remain my best of friends. One of them is the girl I married. Biola, see how much you mean to me? You shared your life so much, and if today I have some passion- let the world know it's you. I told you, Biola; you will be very, very great. Oh my, did I ever call you 'daddy'? That's how close we were. Remain who you are- and do not be so far from me.
Please appreciate some fathers today. It is no mean task to be a father. But I know there is grace for fatherhood. The story of one man assures me of this. Joseph. I want to learn something from Joseph. I think he is the least appreciated of the fathers around. I mean, the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus.
Just because we all know he did not actually birth Jesus, we seem to pay him not so much attention. Maybe I should speak for myself; but I know that many Christian groups deify Mary, I have not seen much of that for Jossy.
Give it to Joseph. The Bible called him a just man. Matthew 1:19. So he was a man all by himself. He was a man worth his salt. Mary loved him for who he was. Oh, Joseph was no name-dropper; he too descended from David as much as Mary his wife. (Dr. Luke traced the lineage of Joseph while Matthew focused on Mary's). A quiet gentleman; easy-going and firm; skilled man. I think he had some qualities that made God appeal to him not to abandon Mary. 'Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as wife…' (see Matthew 1:20). That does not sound to me like a command. God would carefully select the earthly parenting of His only begotten Son, and we must give it to the man of that house. Whatever one may think, Jesus lived in obedience to this man for most of thirty years.
You see, Joseph could have messed Mary up. How many guys out there would believe some fancy story of a divine conception if their prized girls got pregnant from the blues? Just tell me the home-truth, please. It has been prophesied- fine, but it was still strange. But Joseph took the risk! My, my! Just imagine for a second; the wedding date had been announced, everything was set. And you know what shame it was then, if a girl was found unfaithful. Just imagine, had Joseph refused to marry Mary. Okay, let us imagine the implication for the child. This is no ordinary child- Jesus the Son of God. How would it sound like if there was such controversy about his paternity? That is what would have happened if Jossy had made so much fuss about it.
I think Joseph was highly disciplined. Scripture said Joseph 'did not know (Mary) till she brought forth her firstborn Son…' (Matthew 1:25). You know what that mean? He was not exactly commanded not to. He was only told the Child was a 'holy thing', and that was enough to keep him off his own wife till she delivered. Maybe you think that is a small thing. Ask the husband whose wife is pregnant to wait nine month plus. I think that act also show Joseph's respect for Jesus Christ. He must have reasoned; if He is conceived of the Holy Spirit, He must be sacred.
He stood in as the father. He perfectly and quietly played the role. Maybe you think it's not a major role. I know you think Jesus would still do well without the earthly father figure. Just find out from those who had absent fathers or had single parenting. Each time an angel spoke as touching the welfare of the Child Jesus, the angel addressed the Joseph. For instance 'Arise, take the young Child and His mother and go to…' Matthew 2:20. We serve a God of order. Joseph occupied that place of pride as the head and he was responsible for mother and child. Don't you think Jesus grew in an atmosphere of love? I give Joseph the credits.
I could say more about this lovely character who fathered Jesus on earth. But I want to post this today and not a day after. How many of us could God trust with a special child like He did Joseph? How many of us know these children are very special to God? We as fathers, have the golden privilege to train up a child in the way that he should go.
God give me the grace for fatherhood.
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