The Archbishop of Ondo Province and the Bishop of Akure Diocese, The Most Rev’d Dr. Simeon Borokini, has tasked every family to be dedicated to serving God in all they do in order to ensure a better society and nation at large.
He made this assertion at the Thanksgiving service of the Diocese of Abuja’s 3rd session of the 12th Synod held at St. Philip’s Anglican Communion, Gwarinpa, Abuja, with the theme, Serve the Lord: Imperative for Family Under God taken from Joshua 24:14-15.
He noted that the family is the foundational unit of society. It is the building block of society. God’s interest in the family cannot be overemphasized, as he has the plan of the family, since he instituted it in the Garden of Eden, through Adam and Eve.
Archbishop Borokini said, throughout the scripture, God used the family as a foundation of faith. He said, “I have known Abraham that he will keep my way” Gen. 18:9). No wonder Joshua told the story of Terah till they got to the promised land. The successor of Moses, Joshua, was a man of piety, military strength, and understanding. In Exodus 18:22-27, Moses’ father-in-law also instructed him in the way of the Lord.
The family does not exist in isolation. The nuclear family is the smallest unit of the family structure, yet it is of utmost importance. The father must be present, and the mother must also be present, raising their children in the fear of God.
Dr. Borokini added that Jesus gives the perfect example on how to serve the family unit and outlined some key areas, thus:
- Serve the Lord in love: love one another, focus on what you can offer, not what you can get, love must be the motivation, and shun domestic violence.
- Serve the Lord according to His will: David served the Lord in the will of God. His service started in the family as he was in charge of the family business, taking care of the family sheep. God’s service in the family must be done in worthiness and faith. Providing for your family must be done with all honesty; do not steal to provide.
- Serve the Lord in humility and obedience; the position as a father or mother should not be threatened. Model Christianity to your children in humility and obedience, just like Jesus. Giving the children best education without Jesus is ultimately disastrous.
- Serve the Lord with the reward in view: God promises blessings, fruitfulness and peace upon all who serve him. A family in Christ is a light to the world.
- Serve the Lord to win the Nation: Serving the Lord in our homes influences our families, our churches and our Nation at large. Each person has a role to play in the church.
Archbishop Borokini concluded with the key text from Joshua, who told the people, “As for me and my family, we shall serve the Lord”. He urged all to implement the bishop’s charge, which has admonished us to say and act like Joshua, “as for me and my family, my friends, my committee members, we shall serve the Lord”.
He added as a keynote that the first mission field is our family and there must be no neutrality in serving God if we want a better nation at large.
