Josh Mechler

THE FAITH BEHIND FATHERHOOD

The Faith Behind Fatherhood: How to Know You Are Ready

Fatherhood is an enormous responsibility that carries a lot of weight. How can we as men know when we are ready to step into this role? There are many reasons why we may hesitate, but if you wait until everything aligns perfectly, you will most likely never take the step. There is an aspect of stepping out in faith and trusting in the Lord. The Bible overflows with wisdom for those seeking Him in raising kids. One of my favorites is Psalm 127, which offers insight into God’s design for the family and the sacred calling of parenthood.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for he grants sleep to those he loves.” — Psalm 127:1-2

Before pursuing fatherhood, a man should honestly evaluate his spiritual health. Are you depending on the Lord to establish your home, or are you relying on your own plans, hustle, or control? If we are not depending on the Lord, our effort is in vain. God’s design is for children to be under the covering of a father and mother in the covenant of marriage — both trusting and believing in Him.

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” — Psalm 127:3

We have to remember that our kids are ultimately His children, and we have been given the incredible responsibility to steward them. They are a divine blessing and demonstrate the goodness of God. So what is your mindset when you think about being a parent? Do you immediately think of the burden, the sleepless nights, or how it will take away from your personal goals? If so, your mind must be renewed. Yes, fatherhood requires sacrifice and hard work — but this responsibility is a gift that drives purpose and motivation in a man.

“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” — Psalm 127:4-5

I love that parents are depicted as warriors. This is antithetical to how current culture depicts fathers — weak, passive, and foolish. Warriors are strong, self-disciplined, strategic, and mission-driven. Children are the arrows in our quiver. It is up to us as fathers to set them up to fly straight and hit their target. In ancient times, the city gate was where disputes were settled publicly. A father with many children was protected from shame — his children became his advocacy, his defense, his legacy.

As a personal note: I am 20 years into marriage with an amazing wife, raising five beautiful girls, and have a son in heaven. When our first daughter Sofia was born, I was 24 with very little understanding of what it meant to be a father. But the Lord has provided every step of the way. Children truly are a gift from God and there is no greater joy than doing life with your family. You will never feel truly ready — but take a step of faith, trust God, and see what He can do.

Application:

  1. For the older man with adult children. Your quiver doesn’t empty just because your children are grown. Reach out to one of your adult children this week with a specific word of affirmation.  Make it unique to them and their situation. Speak to who they are and who God made them to be. And if there is distance, unresolved conflict, or silence between you, take the first step. It’s never too late for a father to lovingly pursue his children.
  2. For the married man with no children yet. Have an honest conversation with your wife this week about your vision for the family. Are you avoiding the topic out of fear or comfort? Is there unity in this area? Bring it before the Lord together and ask Him to align your hearts with His design for your home.  
  3. For the man preparing for his first child. The arrow is already in your hands. Begin now. Read one chapter of Proverbs each day this month — there are 31 chapters for 31 days. Solomon wrote much of it as a father pouring wisdom into his son. Let God’s Word shape you into the father your child will need before they ever arrive.
  4. For the man in the thick of it. You are in the warrior years. The sleepless nights, the chaos, the constant demand — this is the training ground, not the obstacle. Pick one intentional moment this week to speak life, identity, and purpose over each of your children by name. Words from a father land differently than words from anyone else.
  5. For the father of teenagers. This is when the arrow leaves the bow. Your job is shifting from protection to preparation. Are you having real conversations with your kids about faith, character, and calling? Identify one hard conversation you’ve been avoiding and have it this week. A warrior doesn’t retreat when it matters most.

Josh Mechler

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THE HIGH CALL OF FATHERHOOD

THE HIGH CALL OF FATHERHOOD

As you walk into our home, there’s a sign on the wall that reads, “The most important work you will ever do is within the walls of your home.” That quote captures a truth that serves as a reminder to my wife and me that the real work begins when we walk through the front door.  Our greatest legacy will not be our career accomplishments, financial status, or social standing—it will be the family we build and the faith we pass down.

As men, God has called us to be builders—and the most important thing we will ever build is a strong, loving, and faith-filled family. Yes, fatherhood is often messy. It’s loud, unpredictable, and at times overwhelming. But it’s in the midst of the chaos that we walk out one of the highest callings God has given us.  Psalm 127:3–5 tells us that “Children are a heritage from the Lord… like arrows in the hand of a warrior.” That means you and I are not just dads—we are warriors. Our children are the arrows we are shaping and aiming toward their God-given purpose. We have a responsibility to be skilled in our role, so we hit the target with precision and purpose.

Through our stewardship as fathers, our children will have a real and lasting encounter with God. The kind of encounter that causes them, like Peter, to say: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” I pray that once our children have tasted the goodness of God, nothing else will ever satisfy.

As a father to five daughters and one son, I’ve walked through victories, suffering, and mistakes. And through it all, the Lord has led me and taught me some foundational truths for raising kids who thrive—not just in life, but in faith.

1. Love Your Wife Well

Your first ministry isn’t your job—or even your kids—it’s your wife. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25). One of the greatest gifts you can give your kids is a front-row seat to a healthy, faithful, and godly marriage. They are watching. Model what covenant love looks like. 

2. Guard Your Heart Against Complacency

Matthew 24:12 warns that in the last days, “the love of many will grow cold.” Let that not be said of us. Stay fervent. Stay passionate about the things of God. Let your kids see that worship, service, hard work, and integrity aren’t optional—they are non-negotiable parts of a life devoted to Jesus.  Lord, as the years progress, soften our hearts to the Holy Spirit and His leading in our lives.

3. Persevere Through Trials

Romans 5:3–5 teaches that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character. Life is going to test you—and your children are watching. Let them see a faith that doesn’t waver when storms come. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, let’s be men who know God can deliver us, but our posture remains the same even if he doesn’t.

4. Be a Man of Prayer

Cover your kids in prayer—daily.  Pray for their hearts, their futures, their spouses, and even their children. You may not be able to control their paths, but you can place them in the hands of the One who does.

5. Protect with Purpose

Protection isn’t just about physical safety. Guard your home spiritually. Set boundaries. Monitor what influences come through your doors. Be strong, but not harsh. Your strength should make your children feel safe, never fearful.  We are to be like Sentinels (soldiers who keep watch), able to discern with the help of the Holy Spirit what is trying to come against our children.  We have the authority and responsibility to protect both physically and spiritually.

6. Celebrate Who They Are

Celebrate your kids not just for what they do, but for who they are. Make it known that their existence brings you joy. Affirm their identity, not just their performance.

7. Make Your Home a Refuge

The world is loud, demanding, and often unkind. Let your home be a place of peace. A sanctuary. A safe harbor where your children feel seen, known, and deeply loved.

8. Create Memories That Matter

Be intentional with your time. The simple moments—playing catch, taking a walk, showing up—these are the ones that shape a child’s heart. Build stories they’ll carry for life.  For us, the best memories are when we escape to the mountains as a family.  We have found that it opens our kids’ hearts for real, honest conversations and growth as a family.

9. Be Consistent

1 Corinthians 15:58 urges us to “stand firm. Let nothing move you.” At Awakening, we encourage new believers with the 52-Week Challenge—a call to consistency that transforms lives. But men, don’t stop at a year. Let’s take the 20-year challenge. The 30-year challenge. The lifetime challenge. Our consistent devotion to God will leave a legacy of strength and spiritual endurance in our families.

10. Recognize God Given Moments

My wife and I have discovered that some of the most meaningful teaching moments come when we least expect them. It’s often in the everyday—on the drive to school, when a deep question surfaces, or during bedtime, when a child finally opens up about something heavy on their heart. These moments can’t be manufactured; they happen naturally and often catch us by surprise. But if we’re paying attention, we’ll sense when the Holy Spirit is inviting us to lean in. Be present. Be ready. These unexpected conversations often hold the greatest potential for shaping your child’s heart.

Applications:

  1. What kind of legacy am I building within the walls of my home?
    Reflect on what your children will remember most about your leadership, love, and faith. Are you living in a way that points them to Jesus?
  2. What am I currently doing to protect my home spiritually?
    Inventory the media, conversations, and attitudes allowed in your house. Is anything weakening the spiritual walls? What boundaries need to be reinforced?
  3. Am I intentionally creating memory-making moments with my kids?
    Ask your children about a favorite memory with you. Was it planned or spontaneous? How can you recreate those moments more consistently?

Josh Mechler

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