Men, especially —the greatest calling on our lives is to love Jesus with our whole heart, and daily show the people under our care how beautiful and helpful and patient God’s authority is. Our calling as parents is to help our children believe that God’s authority is where life and safety and freedom and joy are found. This is gospel work! That is kingdom work. That is being an ambassador for the King of kings. That is carrying this incredible treasure in fragile clay jars that often break and crack and need repair. This is being a temple of the Holy Spirit, and making our homes a place where the Spirit lives, and moves, and is known.
What construction company sets out to build a building without first giving a bid? What king goes to war without first counting his troops? Jesus uses those to parables to say you shouldn’t be so fast to just raise your hand to follow him without first considering what it will mean.