When we think seriously about our roles, we realize that we have very little time with our kids before they leave home. The time we spend together as a family is but a passing vapor.

They will be gone before you know it.

DADS, WALK WISELY – 5:15:

We must have God’s wisdom if we want to lead our families to heaven; otherwise, they will self-destruct in a heartbeat. In an airport terminal, you can have one plane that is heading north to Detroit while another plane is flying west to San Francisco. The waiting areas might be right next to each other, but their destinations are thousands of miles apart.

Unfortunately, most people don’t stop to evaluate where their wisdom is leading them, but God’s word tells us: Proverbs 14:12.

DADS, MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME – 5:16:

Americans have been busier than ever nowadays. We live in the information age but having a computer in the form of a phone has made us busier than ever.

Look up the words to the song “In Pictures” by the country music group Alabama.

Of course, how we use our time is impacted by our priorities. Dads, make the most of your time, because they will be gone before you know it.

DADS, THE DAYS ARE EVIL – 5:16:

The church of Christ grew and thrived during the decline of the Roman Empire because the church in the 2nd-4th centuries lived the Gospel in their lives. While the Romans were suffering from a high rate of divorce and immorality and adultery and abortion and a lack of respect and appreciation for children, the church grew. When the Roman Empire collapsed, the church grew and thrived and still exists today.

And our society is reverting back to what the Roman Empire was during the days of the apostle Paul.

DADS, UNDERSTAND THE WILL OF THE LORD – 5:17:

Paul clearly teaches here that we can understand the will of God. When you read the Word of God, as the Holy Spirit directs your heart toward God, you should ask from a text: Is there a command to obey? Is there an attitude to show? Is there a promise to embrace? Is there a sin to avoid?

Rachel and I were visiting with my younger brother and his wife and children recently  along with our sister who came up from Florida for my niece’s high school graduation. My brother plays some golf and one of his daughters played golf in high school and a boy friend of another daughter plays some golf. I was almost locked entirely out of that discussion! But, one thing my brother pointed out is that you always have to focus on the next shot, regardless of what happened with your last shot.

You and I can get so hung up on what has happened in the past, what sins we have committed or what silly or stupid decisions we have made in the past, that we forget to live in the present and concentrate on what good we can do right now.

If we want to leave a spiritual legacy of core spiritual values in our children’s lives, we have to understand the will of the Lord and live the will of the Lord in our lives each day. Because we only get one shot; they’ll be gone before we know it!

Walk wisely; make the most of your time; the days are evil; walk in the will of Jesus Christ

Paul Holland