It is not where are you headed, but where are you going. An airplane headed due north can actually be traveling to the northwest because of an east wind. The longer the time in route – blown by that easterly wind – the farther that plane heading due north will be from the desired destination. Pilots must be aware of the prevailing wind in route (an external force pushing against them) and purposefully act to compensate for it lest they miss their desired destination.

Dads, too, can experience a great deal of external forces exerting pressure on them. This pressure can come from certain members of the family, from friends and neighbors, from cultural forces. It often comes dressed as “well-meaning” pressure that challenges Dad to make decisions that ultimately would not be in the best interest of his children or the family.

Dad may desire to head “true north” – to have a certain outcome, such as a united, loving, Christ-following family – but make decisions that will bring different results. It takes careful planning and courage to make the decisions that keep the family on course. Are we in the Word daily, following it, and abiding in Christ?

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

Steve

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