In Houston, Texas, as in most of the country, we have been reminded that when storms hit, power can be lost for a while. In the summer, that means no air-conditioning. And that means the loss of comfort many have grown accustomed to. I grew up in an apartment without air-conditioning and went to a school that did not have air-conditioning. It seems I have gotten soft under the influence of modern-day comforts.

One young man spent many summers as a kid with an uncle, a father-figure that was much better off financially than his family was. He was a wonderful man, an example anyone would want to emulate. Like many men today, his drive to be successful in the world and provide comfort for his family over-shadowed his religious practice of going to church every Sunday. In fact, the religion on display Monday through Saturday was secularism, living into a secular worldview that prioritizes comfort the world offers.

These commandments I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. – Deuteronomy 6:6-9. The commandments were summed up by Jesus as, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ … ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’- Matthew 22:37&39. There is no mention of life’s comforts - financial success, an air-conditioned home, retirement or social status. That is not to say that comforts in this world are all bad. It is to say that comforts in this world are not to be priorities in our lives. The call is to know God and live under the authority of His word. The priority is to reflect a personal, passionate and growing relationship with the Lord in all we are and all we do. How well do you know Jesus? Have you read His book? Oswald Chambers has said, “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading.” As we get to know Jesus and live under the authority of Scripture, He will provide comfort in a Biblical worldview, one where the comforts this world offers will be kept in proper perspective.

Kids catch what dad has. The young man caught the secularism his father-figure lived by. The Lord provided a wake-up call to help him develop a healthier perspective on the priorities he embraced in providing for his family. A dad has to stay focused to ensure that he has what he wants his kids to catch. Daily time in prayer, Scripture, worship and study are cornerstone spiritual disciplines that will keep you focused on the right stuff.

Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for Your word and Your love. I confess that I have taken my eyes off of You and allowed my priorities to get all discombobulated. Forgive me. I want to teach my kids to know and love You as I know and love You. I commit to practice time in prayer, Scripture, worship and study daily. I will initiate regular family discussion time and introduce a Biblical worldview perspective to secular issues. That is the dad You call me to be and that is the dad my kids need to see. Amen.

A faithful father takes comfort in knowing and loving Jesus the Christ.