Today, we celebrate

fatherhood.  Being a dad is no small

task.  You’re a bank, counselor, coach,

mechanic, plumber, doctor, protector, comforter, and just about anything else

that you’re family could possibly need. 

The pressure on dads today is tremendous!  Today, we want to honor and celebrate you!

One of the most

common roles that a dad plays is an advisor; whether your kids want your advice

or not.  However, some of the advice that

dads out there provide is priceless!  I mean

truly precious nuggets of wisdom!  Things

like, “Shut the door, where were you raised in a barn?” “You’ll

be OK, just walk it off.” “You’ll understand when you get

older.” Oh, and as soon as he says, “Back when I was your age…”

pay very close attention because words are wisdom are sure to follow!

Whether growing up

you had a dad that you strive to be like, one that you’d rather never become,

or a completely absent father, we turn today to the best Father that anyone

could ever have: Father God.

Psalm 68:5

A father to the

fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Although

fatherlessness is a huge issue in our culture today, it is really nothing

new.  Over and over again in the

scriptures, we are reminded that God takes up the cause of the fatherless and

widows; those without husbands.  To bless

them is to be blessed by God and to cause harm to them is to arouse His anger.

God is the perfect

father and the perfect example for us to look to for how to live as a man.  In fact, Jesus said exactly that in a blunt,

but simple way:

Matthew 5:48

Be perfect,

therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

You’ll find in that

in just about every translation, this is expressed in the same way.  The context is the sermon on the mount as

Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.  These are simple words, but an overwhelming

expectation that seems impossible to live up to. 

Is perfection really

the requirement?  After all, God knows

full well that none of us can live perfectly in this weak flesh so prone to

temptation.  A few other translations

expound on these words of Jesus stating:

Matthew 5:48 

(AMP)

You, therefore, will

be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character,

actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly

Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:48 (MSG)

“In a word, what I’m

saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your

God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God

lives toward you.”

This plea of Jesus

rings true to God’s plea in Leviticus to be holy because He is holy.

Although we’ll never

fully obtain perfection this side of Heaven, we still look to God as our

example and strive to live out His example. 

We can read these words as discouraging and condemning that reveal just

how far we have fallen from His standard and how desperate we are for His

forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Though true, I

personally think that if we were physically present back when God was speaking

as recorded in Leviticus or on that mountainside with Jesus, we would

understand these words to be ones of encouragement.  They give us the boldness and courage to live

our lives to their full.

They are inspiring

words from a loving Father who is coaching us on until we reach our full

potential.  He sees something in you and

I that we don’t even see in ourselves. 

It’s God the Father saying, “You can do this!  I’m right here with you and for you!  Even when you stumble and fall, I’m here to

help you back up.” 

“I’ll heal you

and restore you and empower you and cheer you on!  You’ve got this!  Be perfect even as I am perfect.  Get your eyes off of your past and just look

at me.  Don’t look at the challenges

ahead, just look at me.  Don’t look at

how everyone else is doing in their walk, just look at me.  It’s just you and me and we’re going to do

great things together!  Be per