When a father and son took on a project to get a 1957 Ford F-250 running, they got busy doing what they knew how to do. A good pressure washing was the first step as it had been sitting in a barn for over 30-years. Then they dropped the oil pan, replaced gaskets and rebuilt the carburetor. For young dads, the carburetor preceded fuel-injection.

Phase 2 of the project called for a new water pump, brake lines, starter and getting into the engine.  At this point, the dad and son needed to gain a better understanding of the mechanical and electrical systems to develop a plan of action that would result in getting the old truck operational. For that, a shop manual for the truck was procured.

Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. … Then Shaphan took the book to the king and reported to him. … And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. – 2Chron.34:14-19. God’s word cut to the heart and convicted Josiah. Josiah gave these orders to Hilkiah, “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.”- 2Chron.34:21. Josiah sought clarity of what God was saying through His word to discern what to do. This is a great example of spiritual leadership – His response was not driven by emotions, rather it was driven to gain understanding before action would be initiated. Not on his own understanding, but with the insight of the prophetess Huldah. Discerning through cultural norms and gaining understanding of what the Lord is up to is a challenge for dads today. Proverbs 3:5 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. The charge is to read His book and find those you can lean on – brothers in Christ or a pastor for clarity and understanding.

The shop manual, written specifically for that year of truck and the first-generation V8 engine, provided the father-son team with a lot of information. Thanks to a friend that was a mechanic, they were able to gain the clarity and understanding needed to proceed with the project. They got the old truck operational and in the process, learned a lot about each other.
Tips to be a Josiah dad:

• Recognize the state you are in – “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” -Romans 3:23;
• Do not hesitate to take on the project before you - yourself;
• Begin a habit of reading the shop manual for life, the Bible every day;
• Meet Jesus anew and embrace Him as your Savior;
• Find a couple of battle buddies and work through the Nehemiah Initiative study.

Prayer guide: Father, thank You for Your word and for the example of Josiah. I confess my response to Your nudging is often more emotional than measured. I tend to jump in and get busy trying to fix what is broken only to realize the fix was not the solution You were pointing to. Forgive me. Help me emulate Josiah as a spiritual leader, to gain understanding before action is initiated. Equip me in Your word daily to work on the project before me, myself. That is the dad You call me to be and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.

A faithful father takes on the project before him.