Extreme Fathering

2Kings 23:25 And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the ORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.

The term "extreme" gets a lot of use today. We have everything from extreme roller coasters to extreme sports. King Josiah inherited a nation with an extreme case of wickedness. He realized that to turn away God's judgments, some extreme changes were needed.

As Josiah's nation had declined, so has the American home. Some even say the home, at least as we know it, is on the verge of extinction. Fathers, if we want to save the home, I believe some extreme fathering will be required.

1. Fathers need to love God in the extreme. That may sound like a strange condition for repairing the broken home, but since God is the Creator and Sustainer of the home, it makes sense that we can only fix it with His help.

God has always required the love of our whole heart, soul, and mind (Deut. 6:5). That means we are to love God more than any other thing. While the usage of the word "extreme" has risen, the use of another word has declined. That word is "devotion." I define devotion as the distance between your first and second love. Fathers, how devoted to God are you? Do you love Him more than your job? Do you love Him more than your life? Without love in the extreme, the traditional home will surely perish.

2. Fathers need to worship God in the extreme. Our world is a very busy place and, so often, what we give God are the "leftovers." If we have any time left over, we go to church. If we have any money left over, we pay our tithe. If the home is to be saved, we must quit worshipping God with our leftovers.

3. Fathers need to give priority to the family in the extreme. Without doubt, the two greatest influences on the home are the parents. Sociologists have traced many of the ills in the home to the lack of the father's time and attention. As fathers, we must realize that our role is more than provider. Our presence gives the home the foundation that is necessary for its existence.

While some of these conditions may sound extreme, we must remember that extreme situations require extreme measures. Extreme actions were required in Josiah's day. Extreme fathering is required in ours.