Philippians 1:27 “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” 

I spoke to a Men’s Retreat from a Central Life Group last weekend about leading their homes and families God’s way. As I studied and prepared, I focused on the book of Joshua and how he led his family with the statement “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” I noticed from so many of the Old Testament books and leaders that the leader’s families were always a significant priority and narrative of their lives. That is God’s design starting with Adam. Some were good leaders and others were not when it came to the priority of family. David is an example of a great king and leader of men, but he was not a good husband and father. Joshua was a great leader for God and his assigned calling, as well as his family priority and leadership. Starting with Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Nehemiah, and others, family leadership was clearly written into the books of God’s Word for our benefit. This made me think of our lives and leadership.

I challenged the men to think about the book that they and their wives are now writing about their families as they live life. I am asking you to think about this important time in your life. If your life story was recorded and written as an appendix to the Bible, what would be the narrative and the story it would tell? What if your book of life and family was inserted as a book between Joshua and Nehemiah? It will not be printed in the Bible, but it will be printed in God’s journal as the story of your life. You are writing this book and story each day you live and lead. It’s a story that you have only one chance and time to live, lead, and make decisions. You cannot go back and revise it once it is lived. Commit to the call to live and lead in a “manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” Make the same decision that Joshua made, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” How will the story of your book of life end?