James Cameron, of Avatar and Titanic fame, has reportedly said, “Anybody can be a father or a husband. There are only five people in the world who can do what I do, and I’m going for that.”
It isn’t only Hollywood directors who succumb to the siren song of success. Clergymen also put ministry ahead of family. And even King David committed flagrant errors regarding marriage. He violated the Lord’s explicit command not to take many wives (Deuteronomy 17:17). It’s difficult to fulfill the unity intended in marriage or to spend quality time with your kids if you’re rationing time between multiple women (2 Samuel 3:2-5, 5:13, 11:27). David may have been a man “after [God’s] own heart” (Acts 13:22), but as a husband and father, he compels us to seek a better role model.
In my own life, I was blessed with a great adoptive father who loved and provided for me and my brother. But for many, “Dad” is absent, or disengaged, or emotionally or physically abusive. Where are we to turn when our fathers abandon, fail, or wound us?
For those who turn in faith to Jesus, we have this remarkable comfort: “Father to the fatherless,” sings the psalmist, “this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:5-6). And the apostle Paul elaborated, “You received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15). Abba is the Aramaic term for God the Father that conveys intimate trust and familiarity.
Despite what Mr. Cameron says, it’s an unfathomable privilege to be a father— to enjoy the trust, mentorship, and intimacy intended for such a relationship. And God is our perfect example. He’s the one Father who will never let us down.
More:
What does Genesis 1:24-28 tell us about God’s plan for a man and a woman? What do we learn from 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 about the merits of singleness versus marriage?
Next:
Who are the role models in your life? Who sees you as a role model? In what ways can you be a better example to others?
lindagma on January 15, 2011 at 6:41 am
It makes you wonder what kind of father James Cameron had that he would find fatherhood such an insignificant role. Sad.
Bri on January 15, 2011 at 9:41 am
I was (am) fortunate to have a loving earthy father. Things that remind me of my childhood often bring a peace. As an adult however many times that “peace” eludes me. That absence of peace I believe is fear. But today I’m reminded “…we are God’s children”. The comfort and security (and peace) I associate to my childhood can return as a child of God! The Love of God – Jesus.
tim gustafson on January 15, 2011 at 11:26 am
Another point to consider — I think all of us can be a mentor or parental figure to someone who may not have one. That’s what God does for us too.
AManofGod on January 15, 2011 at 12:11 pm
I feel that a lot of men marry having no idea what it means to be a father. I think that is evident by James Cameron’s comment. Personally I had a “Leave it to Beaver” impression of what marriage would be like…..and boy was I wrong!
God gives us the play book (BIBLE) to show us how to be fathers. I learned this after trying my own way and failing most impressively! Now I do things God’s way and find the road so much smoother.
I hope Mr. Cameron discovers what I have.
AManofGod
Tyla808 on January 17, 2011 at 5:05 am
Wow. How awfully sad for someone to feel that “Anybody can be a father or a husband. There are only five people in the world who can do what I do, and I’m going for that.” I’d like to think that the relationship between you and your child is a one to one kinda thing and not something ANYbody in the world can do…
I’d like to think that there’s only ONE person who can be a mother to my daughters. ONE person, me. I AM their mother. I mean how important is that??? AND you can win all kinds of tangible awards like “Best Mommy Ever” birthday cards, funky shaped animal paper weights made out of clay, Crayola colored posters of “My Favorite Person” that you place on the ‘fridge and so on and so forth…it’s that recognition that you get in the graduation speeches and the “I love you” every time you kiss them goodnight.
There will be a day when your awards will collect dust and may even be thrown away after you have passed on, your films that may have received so much praise now will not stay that way…very few people will remember the actors, the plot, etc. but your children are a multi-generational legacy and your name will be written on their “book of life” forever. Why would you choose to place such a low value on that???
I grew up without a father and although I had a great positive male role model in my grandfather there’s only one person who was “casted” by God specifically to be my dad…in any event, I was able to find my biological father when I turned 18 and we are very close today. God, will always be the Father the those with and without fathers, to those who had wonderful fathers and those that did not…one thing I can trust to be truth to Father God, each of us are cherished children and He knows the importance and value of being our Heavenly Father. Thank you Daddy!