Blessed Father’s Day – saved by Abba Father to become more like His Son
Last Sunday, brother Caleb admonished us to spend private time with God in His “film-processing darkroom.” There, without interference from other distractions, Christ’s image can be formed in us. The sermon ended with two real stories.
#1 A loving father and his son – Dick Hoyt was enlisted in the Air National Guard (ANG). When he was 22 years old, his wife, Judy, gave birth to a son, Rick. Rick was born a spastic quadriplegic with Cerebral Palsy. And he and his wife decided not to place Rick in an
institution. Instead the devoted parents decided to raise Rick with tender loving care as they would other child. Dick has written the story, ‘Devoted: The Story of a Father’s Love for His Son” (2010). He and his son started a foundation called Team Hoyt. This real story moves many to give special attention to the importance of the roles of father and son. The story has a happy ending. Lt. Colonel Dick Hoyt retired at the age of 55 years from the Air National Guard. His son, Rick, at the age of 31, graduated with a degree in Special Education from Boston University. Hoyt and Todd Civin have written a book, “One Letter at a Time” (2012).
#2 A loving son and his father – Bart Millard was a son of an All-American football star, Arthur Millard. His mother, Adele, thought that she married a big gentle teddy bear. But his father became a monster to her. When Bart was just 3 years old, his mother left his father out of fear for her own life. His father had a short temper and took out his frustrations on his son. Bart recalls. “I was like his punching bag.” The beatings happened as often as three or four times per week, which left Bart in constant fear. When he was 14 years old, his father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. For 5 years, he acted like a nurse to his father. He administered his father’s medicine at night and they talked until they fell asleep. His own ambition to be a professional athlete was destroyed by debilitating sports injury. By God’s grace, Christ guided his life, his music, and the choices he made. Bart’s godly grandmother inspired him to record the Hymned No. 1 before she died. His music team’s name, “MercyMe“, came from his late grandmother’s words, “Well mercy me, why don’t you get a real job?” He also wrote a song in memory of his late father, “I Can Only Imagine.” It was a No.1 hit song in 2001. The movie, “I can only imagine,” based on the song was released in USA in March 2018. The story ended well. His father’s relationship with Adele was restored. At the age of 49 years, Arthur went home to the LORD.
What can we learn from these two examples of father-son relationships? What can we learn about the relation between the Son and the Father in the Bible? God grieves over all human abuses and oppressions. His solution can be found in love of the Cross, and the forgiveness at the Cross.
Pray that men may hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be set free from sin, self and satan. To be free to follow Christ. Set for yourselves exclusively private periods with an open Bible before the LORD. You can only be more Christ-like when you look often at God’s mirror of the Bible. You will be better equipped for the tasks of the day.
“The friendship (confidential conversation or secret counsel) of the LORD is for those who fear Him” (Ps 25:14a)
Elder Yoong Yuen Soo
