Stuck on the Sidelines???

I kept the TV on well into the evening a couple Sunday’s ago as I had a QB/WR tandem going for my fantasy football team.  When I first turned to the game the score was already 14 – 0 and my QB had thrown both TD’s to my WR, needless to say I was a happy camper. When the second half ensued so did a wholesale slaughter of the Indianapolis Colts. By the end of the 3^rd quarter the score was Saints 48, Colts 7. My QB had 5 TD passes and I had a considerable lead.  But as the 4^th quarter progressed and things continued to spiral out of control for the Colts the TV commentators began to focus on a different QB… the one stuck on the sidelines. Peyton Manning, out indefinitely after having neck surgery last summer, could only stand by helplessly on the sidelines and watch his team be dismantled on prime time TV.

The final score was Saints 62 – Colts 7. The result of having Manning on the sidelines instead of in the game made me reflect on the impact on families and children when fathers or mentors are stuck on the sidelines in relation to the next generation’s spiritual direction. There are three main areas that keep us men on the PUP(physically unable to perform) list in this area;

• Lack of knowledge
• No accountability / encouragement
• Lack of understanding your potential impact. 

Let’s face it, when we feel like we don’t know what to do or how to do it, we just don’t do it. We may know the what’s and the how’s, but allow the ‘stuff’ of life to lead us rather leading the stuff. Men often become prisoners to the tyranny of the urgent. This is where a group of close friends, or band of brothers is great. We may look across the table and think, “that guy can’t relate to me” until we take the time to hear his story and realize he’s walking in our shoes.

The impact you have as a father/mentor is immeasurable! When a father takes the time to point his son or daughter towards Jesus, the ramifications can have an impact for generations to come. Or when a mentor steps into a young man’s life, the difference can be either a future devoted husband and father, or if left alone… a lifetime of brokenness and wandering.

Father’s and (potential) mentors, understand this, the ability to impact doesn’t happen overnight. Peyton Manning threw a lot of interceptions his first couple years in the league. But he didn’t let the INT’s deter him from becoming the impact player he is today. Start impacting your son or daughter now by pointing him or her to Christ and reading the Word with them. Find your band of brothers for accountability and encouragement. Mentors know that young men and boys are ultimately looking to you to show them Jesus... in word and deed. Below are some  opportunities we have at Grace Church to help you get started and/or better equip you in the fathering and mentoring journey.

Opportunities:

       Courageous Fathers Class | Men’s Small Groups

Resource List:
       FutureMen | Raising a Modern Day Knight | Strong Fathers Strong Daughters | Mentor Like Jesus | Going Deep | Point Man