A father and son went fishing one day. After a couple of hours out in the boat, the boy suddenly became curious about the world around him. He asked his father, “How does this boat float?” The father thought for a moment, then replied, “Don’t rightly know, son.”
The boy returned to his contemplation, then turned back to his father, “How do fish breath underwater?” Once again the father replied, “Don’t rightly know, son.”
A little later, the boy asked his father, “Why is the sky blue?” Again, the father replied. “Don’t rightly know, son.”
Worried he was going to annoy his father, he says, “Dad, do you mind my asking you all of these questions?” “Of course not son. If you don’t ask questions, you’ll never learn anything!”
What a true statement of learning! How does one know things when one doesn’t ask the questions about life! Jesus has told us in scripture basically, you receive not, because you ask not! But a very profound sentiment I think is vital to understanding the Fathers calling, especially today, is when our heavenly father is asking each of us to do his work. To be the example, to shine when no one else is willing too.
In today's reading from the Gospel of Luke, we find a fascinating circumstance. I do not plan to re-read all of it, but near the end of the story, an excerpt I believe has a very compelling statement to each of us. What our heavenly Father is calling each of us to do!
Those who had seen everything reported to them how the man who had been demon-possessed had been made well. And all the people of the territory of the Gerasenes and the surrounding region asked Him to leave them, because they were overwhelmed by great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city what great things Jesus had done for him.
So lets think about it! A man who has been tormented by demons, self-afflicted wounds of sorts, being this way for a long while, now, at the command of Jesus, is made whole! And if this isn’t grand enough to find inspiration in, this previously tormented man is NOW asked to be a spokesman to testify what Christ has done for him. To spread the good news of Jesus Christ!
Jesus made a clear statement for this man to tell others what God has done for him! For some of us today, when we are ill, we seem to be delivered from all responsibility. If we are fortunate enough to be delivered from our illness, people often continue to excuse us from responsibility. Here is what you may hear someone say! “There, there, after all you have been through, just relax and continue to heal; your illness has delivered you from any moral responsibilities.” But in today's reading in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus did not release any responsibilities from this previously demon-possessed man. What did Jesus do? He calls this man into the ministry!
How much different is the testimony of an actual individual who has been through something versus someone just telling the story about that individual? Both are just as effective in serving the purpose of spreading the good news of being healed. Having the actual person, to speak to their friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers of what God has done for them, is powerful in itself! And its this portrait I want to extend to each of you, that our Heavenly Father’s calling, just like our earthly fathers calling to help grow and nurture us, is vital, essential, and necessary!
Unfortunately, not everyone has had the greatest honor in having a earthly father whom is a positive role model, kind, genuine and loving. But for those that have experienced this in their lives, remember this! Just as this previously demon possed man was to be a spokesman for God, so does God place in our lives other people to help fill in the gaps in being the shining example of a positive role model, kind, genuine and loving.
In my life, my earthly father was a man whom was himself brought up harsh and hard in life. And regardless of how I viewed my upbringing and what I went through, there was actually people I can name today that was God sent to me! I learned from them and grew seeking and asking questions, just as the little boy at the beginning of this message. And you know what? It didn’t stop when I was a child! Even when I was in my 20’s I met inspirational people that helped me continue my growth in God! Even when I didn’t want to!
After bringing their first baby home from the hospital, the wife suggested to her husband that he try his hand at changing diapers. “I’m busy,” he said. “I’ll do the next one.”
The next time the baby was wet, she asked if he was ready to learn how to change diapers. He gave her a puzzled look, then said finally, “I didn’t mean the next diaper; I meant the next baby!”
Just think about this! What would have happened if this demon possed man did NOT go out and spread the good news of Christ? What if he rejected Gods calling for him to spread the news and not take responsibility now? For this man who didn’t want to change the diaper, think about what he missed out on: gaining love and cherished fellowship with his son or daughter, nurturing, caring, and protecting them. How many people may have not been impacted if they did not heard the story that literally could have changed their lives! Listen friends, God will not ask you to do something for no reason! There is a specific reason for everything He asks us to do! Even if its to help only one person! BUT, if we wait, if we choose to neglect or reject Gods direction, to take responsibility, we will miss a true blessing for ourselves but for others we would impact. And that is not even mentioning how disobeying God period comes at a high price in this life.
Charles Francis Adams, son of President John Quincy Adams and grandson of President John Adams, kept a diary. One day he entered: “Went fishing with my son today—a day wasted.”
His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: “Went fishing with my father—the most wonderful day of my life!” The father thought he was wasting time while fishing with his son, but his son saw it as an investment of time.
The only way to tell the difference between wasting and investing is to know one’s ultimate purpose in life and to judge accordingly.
Our calling friends, men and women, is to listen for Gods calling. Our Heavenly Fathers message is for each of us, to be the liaison of Christ! To seek, Love, fellowship, and to be a willing person to give your best for His divine purpose.
So here is a few things I challenge you to think about when hearing our Heavenly Fathers calling.
Trust in Him. Just as did not trust God, he more importantly did not obey God! He let earthly vessels of fear and anxiety make the best of him, by simply not obeying what God had planned. In the end, many lives was saved, and even Jonah himself became more of an obedient servant.
Listen to Him. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. When we hear God, we learn faith. And it is this faith we all must live by. But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, being confined for the faith that was destined to berevealed. Therefore the Law has become our guardian to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
Live in Him. When we go through pain and suffering in this life, we should always remember where we came from to be where we are today. Only Jesus would turn a persons misery into a occasion for a vocation and testimony for others. When we live for Christ, and He lives in us, we become part of our Heavenly fathers calling. For men, women and children.
Today we do celebrate our earthly fathers, and as we do cherish and remember those whom we had the privilege to be raised by them, we also are to remember those who were a father to the fatherless. An icon, a beacon of hope as the spirit led people who answered Gods calling by being an example of Christ in our lives. But it is always comforting knowing we have a Heavenly father that is ever willing, always present, and never ceasing to Love his children. And even when we go through this life, we can always rest assured that our God, the Alpha and Omega, the great Rock on which we stand, is at the helm.
During the French war, a train carrying dispatches to the headquarters was compelled to go over sixty miles of very rough track, and reach its destination within an hour. The engineer was the bearer of the dispatches, and his wife and child were in the coach. Every moment threatened to pitch the train over the embankment or over a bridge, and, as it rolled from side to side, leaping at times almost in the air, rushing past stations, the few people inside held their breath and often cried out with terror as they sped along. There was one on that train who knew nothing of their fears and that was the child of the engineer. Happy as a bird, she laughed aloud when asked if she were not afraid, and looked up and answered, “Why, my father is at the engine.” A little later, the engineer came into the car to cheer up his wife and, as he wiped the great drops of sweat from his face, the child leaped into his arms and laid her head upon his bosom, as happy and peaceful as when at home. What a lesson each of us, Gods children in learning to trust, listen and obey our heavenly Father! Amen.