I have been reading A Shelter in the Time of Storm, by Paul David Tripp during my personal time with God. Today, Psalm 27:4 was particularly challenging: "One thing I have asked of the Lord, that will I seek after." The concept of what occupies your heart connects to fathers. Often, things other than the Lord seem to control a father's heart. What is one thing that functions as your Lord? For most of us, the one thing in our lives is not the Lord. Tripp asked this probing question to help determine what occupies your heart: "Life has meaning and I have worth only if I have _______________ in my life." (p. 39) Fathers, we need to evaluate the "one-thing" that can captivate our hearts other than the Lord. Tripp says, "In every situation and relationship of your everyday life, there is a one-thing war being fought on the turf of your heart." Tripp offers the following catalog to help you identify what could take the place of the Lord in your heart:
Power. Life has meaning or I have worth only if I have power and influence over others.
Approval . I am loved and respected by _______________.
Comfort . If I have a certain kind of pleasure or experience.
Image . If I have a certain look or body image.
Control . If I am able to have mastery over a particular area of my life.
Dependence . If someone is there to keep me safe.
Independence . If I am completely free of the obligation or responsibility to take care of someone.
Inclusion . If a particular social or professional group lets me into their inner ring.
Achievement . If I am recognized for my accomplishments.
Prosperity . If I have a certain level of wealth, finance, nice possessions.
Work . If I am highly productive and get a lot done.
Religion . If I am adhering to my religion's codes and accomplished in its activities.
Irreligion . If I am totally independent of organized religion and have self-made morality.
Race or Culture . If my race or culture are ascendant and recognized as superior.
A Person . If this one person is happy to be in my life and happy with me.
Family . If my children/parents are happy with me and need me.
Helping . If people are dependent on me and need me.
Suffering . If I am hurting or having a problem, only then do I feel noble, worthy of love, or free of guilt.
Which one do you most relate to? As relational fathers, we need to be aware of our tendencies to replace the Lord with something else. The reason we need to be students of our hearts is because "your one thing will control your heart, and whatever controls your heart will exercise inescapable influence over your words, choices, and actions." (Tripp, p. 38) My prayer is that your one-thing will be the Lord!
