Heart of Spiritual Fathers
2 Cor. 12: 14 Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
A current catch phrase deals with spiritual fathers and mothers. Paul made it clear individually we don’t have many fathers and for good reason. Spiritual parenting is more about relationship than it is about position or authority.
Speaking life, encouragement, blessing, edification and when needed correction with redemptive direction. Parenting is about doing “life together”. Parenting isn’t limited to geography, though it can assist; rather its more about availability. With today’s technology it’s quite possible to parent spiritual children at a global level, yet each situation is birthed out of authentic, personal relationship. A personal opinion, I’m not sure that kind of parenting can occur solely via social media. At some level there must be a history of relationship, physical presence and interaction.
Spiritual parents are concerned and consistent with their desires and aspirations for their children.
Everyone needs fathering at every level. The older I become, the more challenging that is to have that kind of relationship. Some of my spiritual fathers have graduated to glory.
Healthy saints have the capacity to spiritually parent children. Be that for someone!