4 minute read
A Father’s Heart
Kevin Kwang
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Sitting here in the delivery suite, at the start of yet another journey with a precious life God has blessed us with, I have to admit a bittersweet feeling.
It is now months into a global pandemic that has swept across the world and upended all our lives significantly—possibly for good. The economy is tanking. Flights and tourism are pipe dreams for many, if not most. Businesses in entertainment and nightlife face a murky future, even as Singapore enters Phase 3 of its gradual economic reopening.
Many have lost their jobs, or will lose them in the coming months, as government aid dries up for employers and employees alike.
Fresh graduates face their first major career challenge—simply attempting to land a job. A training or internship opportunity could well be the best that some can hope for, as many companies continue reining in their growth and hiring plans. The spectre of another health crisis breaking out also looms large. Around us, countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are battling their second or third waves of COVID-19 infections.
Further afield, the United States and Europe are still fighting to stem the spread of the coronavirus amid seasonal weather changes that are accelerating its spread.
Even as governments around the world struggle to keep the virus under control in the physical realm, a surge in misinformation—aptly dubbed an infodemic—has emerged in the digital space. Bad actors are sowing seeds of doubt about the seriousness of the pandemic and the need for mask wearing and social distancing, as well as reinforcing public distrust in the value and benefit of vaccines in general.
The Internet as a platform has also led to rising mental health issues and youth suicides in recent times.
The ubiquity of smart devices, and the easy access to the Web that comes with them—particularly social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as well as chat apps— have resulted in the majority of today’s young people forging their still-nascent identities and self-esteem on the shifting sands of peer pressure and public sentiment. I especially take comfort from His words in verse 16 as translated in the Message version: “They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world.”
In the World, But Not of It
Some might well ask: Why bring another life into this uncertain world? I have asked myself the same question, when I’m being honest.
Being in the media industry, and knowing clearly some of the challenges mentioned above, makes one circumspect about the direction this world is heading in.
People can also choose to behave in ugly ways, particularly when they assume anonymity and relinquish responsibility in their online personas. Just dip into the comments thread on any news outlet’s Facebook posts and you’ll see what I mean.
But we know that, as Christians, we are “not of the world”—no more than Jesus Christ was (John 17:14–19).
Jesus also expressly stated in this passage that He was not asking for us to be taken out of the world, but for God the Father to guard us from the Evil One.
When I let these words take root and assume significance in my heart and life, I’m reminded that my children— all of them, not just the latest addition to the tribe—are God’s wonderful creations, each with a unique purpose and destiny given to them by their Creator.
Their lives are not diminished or rendered less meaningful because of what the world is becoming, or how people in many countries are becoming more divided and hateful towards one another.
In fact, my children’s lives—and yours—are full with the potential of bringing Christ’s love to people who are more in need of hearing this message of love than ever before.
It would thus be a real disservice to make a decision not to bring a new life to the world based on the abovementioned global trends and challenges.
Making Spiritual Deposits
One piece of advice I have taken on board during my journey of fatherhood is to pray into my children’s lives.
I like to think of it as opening up a “bank account” for them in the spiritual realm, with each prayer a deposit and/or investment into their spiritual lives and futures.
It is my belief that each child has a purpose and destiny that only they can bring to fruition for the Lord’s kingdom—and the Evil One will try to curtail or steal it from them for their whole lives.
Going back to John 17, it was said: “Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that You gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.” (v.17–18, The Message)
My personal prayer, for myself as well as for other fathers out there, is that we do not forget to invest in our children’s spiritual lives even as we’re continually told to invest our energies—fortune, acclaim—elsewhere.
(BRB, I hear the baby crying. Again.)
