Fatherly Advice

So, I am not a father. I’ve been married for three years this coming June, but have not had the pleasure of being a father yet. I’m excited about it. But I’m also nervous about it. The role is a pretty pivotal one to play. But last night, I read the most beautiful fatherly advice that I have ever come across. I’ve read it before, but I guess after some of my best friends starting to have babies and all, this stuck out a whole lot deeper.

David the king is about to die and hand over his kingdom to his son, Solomon. David has been a man after God’s own heart, but he has messed up pretty royally at times as well.

David’s charge to Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 goes like this:

And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you out forever. Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.

What is the greatest legacy any parent could leave their children? KNOW the LORD. Serve him with a whole heart and a whole mind. Seek him. What if every child in this country understood God because of the way their parents followed after God. What if they didn’t have to imagine devotion because they saw it lived out. What if following God in their mind was always full of risk and exploding with joy because of the way their parents lived.

What a great thing to aspire to.

A legacy that doesn’t point to the person, but to the person’s God.