“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 ESV
When I first heard the idea of being the “priest” in my marriage and family I didn’t really even know what that meant. It sounded odd then and to be honest it still feels pretty odd. Who am I to put myself in that position? Would my family even respond to my efforts?
The real truth is that I didn’t know what I was doing. When we first got married I wasn’t really following Christ even though I would have said I was a Christian my whole life. When I finally decided that my way wasn’t working and started getting serious about my faith all I really knew to do was go to church and just do my best at home.
There were men in my family and in my church who seemed to have this role, leading as the priest in their homes, down. Family devotions were normal for them (or at least that’s what they said at church). I just felt awkward trying and because my wife and kids didn’t expect it from me, they felt awkward too.
I still don’t feel very effective in this role. Even though my wife is still around (thank God) my kids are grown and I feel like I missed my opportunity.
BUT, as I learned more about becoming a Kingdom Man, an authentic follower of Jesus, I learned some important lessons.
I have to have a personal and intimate relationship with God first before I can ever lead my wife and family
God’s Word, the Bible, has to be the bedrock of that relationship
If I’m not talking to God daily in prayer, not much I have to say to my family will really matter
Don’t compare yourself to others or tear yourself down for the way you served as priest in the past. Your experience is unique. If, like me, you don’t really know what you’re doing, stop trying to figure it out. Learn how to take care of those three key areas of your walk with God. Ask Him for help in this key role and trust that if you simply keep following him, He will help you be more of a priest each day.
Daily Battle Order
Ephesians 5:25 tells us to love our wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Christ is our Priest. If we follow this command we should strive to be priests for our wives and children by giving ourselves up for them. Check out one of our favorite resources, Every Man a Warrior, if you want some solid basic training in these 3 skills that will prepare as one of God’s priests.
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