We were each created for a unique role on purpose, with purpose, and for a purpose! God selected right here and right now to place us out of all the times and places He could have put us. Therefore, embrace your unique role in the body of your family and your church, and do what God created you to do and be who God created you to be!
Firstly, Be The Dads speaks to how we each have a unique role in our individual families to embrace the purpose of being the dads that our wives and kids need us to be. Secondly, we are to be not only raising up our kids to be great citizens of this world but also to be passing them the baton of faith in this relay race called life! If we miss this unique role, we could be dooming the next generation to resemble the generation of Judges 2:10:
‘After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. ‘
Judges 2:10
How sad would it be if we didn’t embrace our unique roles in the body of our families and the body of our church and our kids just felt privileged and entitled to a way of living without realizing the sacrifices and effort it took to get there and God’s handiwork. Therefore, let’s make sure to show and tell our kids about what God is and has done in and through our lives so that we can pass along the baton of faith to them. Nevertheless, we each have something to do because God created us to “be the dads”!
Consider what God’s Word for today has to say:
‘so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it. Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. ‘
1 Corinthians 12:25-27
Before we jump into this verse, let’s expand a bit to get the rest of the story as you can see it begins in the middle of a sentence and thought.
Digging deeper into our unique roles:
‘For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ. For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life]. For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it. Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. A nd yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].’
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Importance of our Unique Role:
There are many parts in the body, each with its own unique roles. However, for the body to work well, we need to work in unity. For example, there is much diversity in the body so that it can work well thanks to each unique role, just as we need to do our unique role to ensure our family body and church body work well. We all need one another! It doesn’t matter if you are an introvert or an extrovert, what matters is that we perform our unique roles to the best of our ability for the glory of God! God’s plan is for there to be no division and no discord and so let’s be the dads who build unity in our homes and our churches!
Be the dads who are:
- adaptable and show concern for our wives, kids, church, and people God brings into our lives!
- rejoicing when other parts of the body rejoice and mourn when other parts of the body mourn, being supportive of them through it all!
- receiving God’s calling on our lives and choosing to live out our own special purpose and function!
- supporting our wives, kids, church, and others when they are in need.
Let’s be the dads who aren’t just hearers of the Word but look for ways to apply it in our lives!
How to apply today’s verse of the day into our unique role as dads:
- Recognize that each member of the family has a unique role to play, just as each member of the body of Christ has a unique function.
- Understand that each family member is equally important and deserves respect and care, just as each part of the body is valuable and essential.
- Work together as a team to achieve common goals and support each other’s individual pursuits, just as the body of Christ works together for the greater good.
- Celebrate each family member’s gifts and talents, and encourage them to use these gifts to serve others, just as the different parts of the body of Christ serve each other.
- Help each other in times of need, just as the body of Christ supports and cares for its members.
- Emphasize the importance of unity and cooperation, and work to resolve conflicts in a loving and respectful manner, just as the body of Christ values unity and peace.
- Foster an atmosphere of inclusivity and acceptance, recognizing that each family member is unique and brings their own perspective to the table, just as the body of Christ includes people from all walks of life.
- Model Christ-like love and sacrifice by putting the needs of others before our own, just as Christ gave himself for the sake of the body of Christ.
- Encourage open and honest communication, and seek to understand each other’s perspectives and feelings, just as the body of Christ is characterized by honesty and transparency.
- Lastly, help each family member to discover and live out their God-given purpose, just as the different parts of the body of Christ have their own unique purposes to fulfill.
