Serving with him in ministry has been a pure delight. As my father, pastor and spiritual father, I've gleaned so much from his wisdom, tenderness, love, care, manners and teaching.
When I need ENCOURAGEMENT, he's there to say, "You can do this. I believe in you."
When I need CORRECTION, he does it in love, integrity and privacy. He's corrected me many times, when I didn't want it and when I needed it, and I'm so thankful that my heart wasn't hardened to receive it. It has made me a better man.
To have the BLESSING of a spiritual father is IMPACTFUL! Something as simple as a word of encouragement has given me a new level of determination to pursue God's will and call on my life. I honor my dad as a spiritual father in the faith. Not only is he a great leader, he is humble enough to encourage me and others to live for God with all of our hearts!
A VERBAL BLESSING from your spiritual father has a tremendous impact in your life, no matter how old or young you are. I have had several spiritual fathers impact my life. Some were seasonal and some were merely positional. I've gleaned from all of them. Mostly, I would like to thank my father today for imparting BLESSING, WISDOM, DIRECTION, ENCOURAGEMENT and STRENGTH into my heart. I have learned several things from him...and mostly what it means to be a TRUE SPIRITUAL FATHER.
SPIRITUAL FATHERS
BLESS INTO FULLNESS
True spiritual fathers will BLESS and ENCOURAGE the call that God has on your life. They are concerned with identifying God's purpose, gifting and unique calling in their sons and blessing them into that fullness.
I've also learned that a TRUE FATHER will cover you, steer you and help you both naturally and spiritually. They are sensitive to the times and seasons of your life and know how to speak to those seasons. No matter how old I am, I will always need the undergirding of my spiritual fathers.
Not only will a spiritual father help you succeed they will also have an eye to DISCERN when their son may be slightly veering off the right path. When a parent is motivated by love, they can speak CORRECTION and WISDOM into their child's life and teach them from lessons they themselves have learned.
I am so grateful for the moments spiritual leaders have spoken into my life, making me aware of things I may not have seen or realized in the moment. Some things are TAUGHT...some things are CAUGHT. If we listen with our eyes, ears and our heart, we'll learn what to do even when it's not being directly communicated.
SPIRITUAL SONS
GIVE BACK
As a spiritual son, I also realize that not only does my spiritual father play a role in my life, but I also play role in his. As a son I have the OPPORTUNITY to show HONOR, RESPECT and LOVE to my spiritual father.
I enjoy the moments where I get to encourage him and serve him. This can be done in ways as simple as carrying his bag or helping him when the opportunity arises. Also respecting his OPINION and being THOUGHTFUL to have a LISTENING EAR shows him that he is NEEDED and VALUABLE in my life.
I also think it's very important to always ACKNOWLEDGE the role and IMPACT a leader has had on your life and thank them in practical ways beyond your words. Unexpected GIFTS, NOTES, a TEXT MESSAGE to them know you love them, are thinking about them and are appreciative for their life can minister JOY to their heart.
Spiritual fathers are a GIFT from God. Spiritual sons can likewise be a gift back. TREASURE and CULTIVATE these relationships. As the generations LOVE and HONOR one another, God releases a blessing and together the Kingdom is advanced forward.
Today, I give honor to my pops...Pastor Ray Hylton.