Life Stages

Fathered By God (review)

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I took a friend’s recommendation and read John Eldredge’s Fathered By God this week. Much better than I expected.

My friend suggested it for several reasons, but I believe he was prompted by our conversation about men’s seasons of life. There are several authors who’ve taken on this subject. Fathered By God is Eldredge’s take, and it’s worth reading.

The enemy’s one central purpose-to separate us from the Father.

Chapter 3, Boyhood

Guys, you should read it for yourself to see if you agree. But here’s the list of the six stages he walks you through:

  1. Boyhood
  2. Cowboy
  3. Warrior
  4. Lover
  5. King
  6. Sage

The problem of self-identity is not just a problem for the young. It is a problem all the time.

Chapter 8, Sage

For me, the best takeaways were from the last three stages. Not rocket science due to my age. Of those three chapters, King captured me the most. Here are three quotes from the chapter:

I remember Dallas Willard saying once that he believes the whole history of God and man recounted in the Bible is the story of God wanting to entrust men with his power, and men not being able to handle it.

Becoming a king is something we accept only as an act of obedience. The posture of the heart in a mature man is reluctance to take the throne but willing to do it on behalf of others.

One of the big lies of the king stage is the idea that now you ought to know enough to operate out of your own resources. Not true. You will be faced with new challenges, bigger challenges, and the stakes are much higher.

Chapter 7, King

It’s doubtful you’ll agree with everything Eldredge writes, but I’m guessing we’d all agree on this one:

At nearly every stage of our masculine journey, something in us needs to be dismantled and something needs to be healed.

Chapter 9, Let Us Be Intentional

If you’re curious about these stages or you are in need of dismantling or healing, give this book a chance. I’m glad I did.

Stage Reviews

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As if Moses didn’t have enough to do, read these two first verses of Numbers 33 to see a rather dull command he followed:

“These were the stages of the Israelites’ journey when they went out of the land of Egypt by their military divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. At the Lord’s command, Moses wrote down the starting points for the stages of their journey; these are the stages listed by their starting points:” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭33:1-2‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

From verse 3-49, the review of these stages and starting points include 42 campsites. That means this nation of people together moved 42 times over a 40-year period. Go ahead and pause. Just try to get your mind wrapped around that. I’m just going to sit here and shake my head for a moment.

Ready for a different thought? As I read this review, I thought about my stages and starting points. First, I thanked God it hasn’t been 42, only 6-if you’re counting only cities, that is. Actual “campsites,” something like 15. Like in this Numbers 33 review, some stages had some notable events where God’s work in my life/community can be seen. These events are worth remembering, worth learning from, worth being grateful for.

  • Winchester, Tennessee-where I was born and was given the foundation for life from parents of faith in the God of these same Israelites
  • Gadsden, Alabama-where the importance of a church community was illustrated to me, in particular when my dad died
  • Thomasville, Georgia-where I began the journey into adulthood and watched my mother model courage and faithfulness
  • Pensacola, Florida-where my college work gave me the opportunity to personally mature in following God through my own convictions
  • Jacksonville, Florida-where my various career moves showed God’s patience, wisdom, and guidance
  • Bradenton, Florida-where God continues to reinforce that the best place in life is right where He has placed you

Where has God been in each of your stages? Take a review. Go ahead and pause. Get your mind wrapped around that. I’m just going to sit here and nod my head for a moment.