10. Marriage Devotional: Toward a New Breed of Men

Marriage Devotional: Toward a New Breed of Men

Author: Dennis Rainey

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

    Why do Fortune 500 companies pay such huge salaries to their top executives? Because they know that leadership makes a difference. As a husband and father, your leadership will make a difference in your family. Oh, your wife and children may survive from day to day, but are they heading anywhere? Are they growing in Christlike character? Are they focusing on what is important?

    There is no question why so many marriages and families are in trouble. Too many men are functioning only as material providers. We need a new breed of men who can appreciate and expend energy, time and—most importantly—focused attention on the spiritual aspect of family life.

    We need a new breed of men who have the ability to focus on the unseen—the eternal—as well as the seen. Men who will say no to more bucks when it means sacrificing their families. A new breed who will ask, with every decision they make: "How will this affect the relationships within my family?"

    We need a new breed of men who will recognize they need to leave something to posterity that will outlive the financial inheritances they may leave for their children: proven character. . .a new breed of men who realize that to succeed in the eyes of men but fail in the eyes of God is the ultimate failure.

    One man has said, "It is better to fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than to succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail."

    Will you take upon yourself the challenge Albert Einstein gave a group of young scientists? While addressing this highly motivated group of young men, he said, "Gentlemen, try not to become men of success. But rather, try to become men of value."

Discuss:

    What material things do you hope to leave to your children? What specific spiritual values do you hope to instill in them? Which of these "keepsakes" is more important?

Pray:

    Imagine your children as grown and established in their own families. Pray for what each one will become.