On Having Spiritual Fathers/Mothers
How to make the most of our time with them
Just a little unrelated side note- God’s ability to hide treasures in little things remain the coolest thing ever!
Before I begin, if you aren’t well acquainted with the term “Spiritual Father/Mother”, it simply means the one who brought you into the faith and/or the one whose spiritual authority you submit to.
Personally, having a spiritual father isn’t foreign to me at all. Correct me if I’m wrong, but if you don’t have a “father in faith” who you serve and are committed to in Nigeria, your faith is almost questionable, lol. Daddy Adeboye has referred to us (members of RCCG) as, "My children” for the longest time it only seems natural to call him "daddy" too. And after remaining under the teaching and guidance of Pst. Johnson Akande for over 3 years, he and I flowed into the (spiritual) father-daughter tie seamlessly. Yet I have always wondered what it really meant. And why it was necessary.
Did it begin and end with them only praying for me? Is it only about listening to their sermons and reading their books? What part do I play? Or is it just about the name and for show?
Those are the questions that plagued my mind, but I hope to shed more light on them through the Word today. I’ll be using the relationship between Apt. Paul and Timothy, as well as that of Elijah and Elisha as a case study for better understanding.
Apt. Paul said to Timothy, his spiritual son in 2 Tim 3:10-11a, "But you have followed my teaching, my conduct, and my purpose in life; you have observed my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, my persecutions, and my sufferings."
Those verses show us exactly what it’s like to be a Joshua, a Samuel, an Elisha, a Timothy and one of the 12 apostles (when Jesus was on earth). Being a spiritual daughter/son is beyond the name and mere claims. The purpose is for what they carry to be imparted to us (even in greater measures). It is so that they may produce after their own kind! That’s why it’s extremely important to be discerning in whom we give allegiance to.
How then, can we grow in their "likeness" [following them as they follow Christ ¹]?
1. Follow their teaching: we shouldn't only be hearers and sharers of their sermons alone, but be doers as well; obeying that which they preach.
2. Follow their conduct: we should mirror even their way of life; the way they view, approach and handle things. After the ascension of Elijah, nobody announced a newsflash to the 50 prophets, they immediately knew and said, "the power of Elijah is on Elisha!" ²
3. Follow their purpose in life: [simply put, whatever you live to fulfill is your purpose] What is it they live for? Take in every breath to do the same. Elisha cried out at Elijah’s ascension, "...My father! Mighty defender of Israel!" ³ (That was his purpose) If you read on from 2 Kings 2 you’ll see how Elisha filled up that gap like Elijah never left. Yes our assignments may be peculiar, but the purpose of Christ is one!
4. Observe their faith, patience, love and endurance: to observe means to view something with attention to detail. The Apt. Paul makes mention of the fruits of the Spirit here, helping us understand that paying full attention to the expression of the character of Christ in them, is just as important as our attention on their ministry. We must consider deeply their Character!
5. Observe their persecutions and sufferings: from scripture, we know the Lord makes men through sufferings. As we observe our father’s/mother’s trials let hope and strength find deep roots in our hearts, so when we face ours we will be able to stand boldly and declare that we ran the full course and won! To the glory of our God.
The responsibility of being a spiritual father/mother is no small joke. And so I pray for them today, that the Lord will keep and continue to uphold them. And may the Lord help, and carry them through. In Jesus' name, amen!
Happy New Month to you my dear reader, I pray that you’re filled with the knowledge of how much God is intentional about you!❣️
REFERENCES
¹ 1 Corinthians 11:1
² 2 Kings 2:15
³ 2 Kings 2:12
