Rainfall
Droughts are broken by floods! Here in North Central Texas and elsewhere there has been a growing drought for the past several years. Water rationing has affected most communities. Farms and ranches have declined in productivity. Lakes, reservoirs and rivers had reached critical levels. But recently, by the grace of God, we have received unprecedented rainfall this winter and spring. It has now grown into weeks and months of storms and rainfall.
Flooding has dominated the headlines, and unfortunately deaths have accompanied the violent weather. Lakes and reservoirs are overflowing. One article today said this had driven snakes from their habitats out into the open and were causing possible danger to residents. Most of us are rejoicing over the precipitation; while others are complaining about the inconvenience of storm-filled days and lack of sunshine. You can’t please all the people all the time. Right, God?
All of this led me to turn my attention to the ‘drought’ in our families caused by absentee fathers. If you think a physical drought is serious; it pales in comparison to what is happening to our culture. It, like the rainless conditions here and elsewhere, has been building for years, even decades. We find ourselves in a moral and spiritual drought! What is needed is a ‘father deluge’!! It will take years, but like the first raindrop of an eventual flood, it starts with one father at a time.
Absentee fathers
Our culture is sending the message that men are not necessary, fathers are irrelevant! God’s design of the family is being undermined by society today and one only has to look to the right or left to see the devastating affects. Statistics are overwhelming that reveal the results of fatherless homes. But not just physically absent fathers, but emotionally—being in the home but detached from their God-ordained privilege and responsibility. We read or view with sadness the news reports of men, women and children dying in raging flood waters or tornadoes. We see rescue efforts that save some while others perish.
Can you even fathom the destroyed lives that result from the absence of fathers? Drugs, gangs, terrorist recruiting, alcoholism, school dropouts, prostitution, sex-trafficking, abortion, gender confusion, homelessness, crimes, looting, riots, economic and financial poverty! In addition, there are more than 162 million reported cases of chronic disease among children, linked to behavioral and/or environmental risk factors. Even the Center for Disease Control recognizes the importance of abiding parents who encourage their kids and spend time with them in an active setting. Let me ask—do you see any of this in America today? You get the picture. Man-made solutions fail, such as political, and definitely welfare systems. They deal with the symptoms; God says it is a heart issue. The last Book of the Old Testament is Malachi. And the very last verses that God recorded speak to the solution. May I add—the only solution!!
Listen closely! “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” (vs. 5,6).
Engage your family
We at Abiding Fathers are praying this and working toward this. We are calling for a flood of fathers to engage and/or re-engage their families. First, to be reconciled to God through His Son, Christ; then to be reconciled to their family! There is a growing curse (drought) on our nation, but it can be reversed if, if we humbly turn our hearts and the hearts of our children back to Him and to each other. To do nothing is not an option. Would you go to whatever means possible to bring water to your dying wife and children? Sure you would! Men, fathers, dads, grandfathers; wake up, it’s starting to rain. The drought can be broken. Let’s flood our country with abiding fathers and grandfathers!
I am reminded of Elijah. Through him, God proclaimed a drought and it would last until he spoke an end to it. Fast forward a few years later. God had the people’s attention. They were thirsty for relief. Elijah met the Baal prophets on Mount Carmel. A pile of wood is stacked—whoever’s god burned it up wins the hearts and worship! I guess hundreds of thousands have gathered. Elijah let them go first. They failed miserably. The second half belonged to Elijah and the Lord. He even watered down the wood. He prayed, fire fell, burned the wood and even lapped up the water in the trench. Total Super Bowl victory! The people worship the true God. The drought is about to end. Elijah said to take action because rain was coming. Elijah prays, sends a servant to look toward the sea. Seven times; nothing! Then the servant says he sees a tiny cloud. Elijah tells them to make plans, get their chariots and leave because heavy rain is coming. And it did; drought broken!! (Read 1 Kings: 17/18)
Like Elijah, I see the flood coming in America. Families are going to be made whole. Fathers are going to become the men that will break the drought. Join in, Be The Dad! O, don’t forget your raincoat, and wading boots; you’ll need them!
